2nd Term 1st Year, 1418 - 1419 A.H.

The Royal Speech of the King of Saudi Arabia

Dear brothers:

It is a great pleasure for me to inaugurate the second term of Shura National Council by expressing the hope that we find the true guidance in serving this country and its dear sons.

Dear brothers:

Since its early stages, this country has been established on a clear order, following the Islamic creed. Thus the nation was brought together; its word was united and the citizens of this country are tied with bonds of brotherhood.

The Islamic creed clarified the people's obligations and rights towards each other in all matters of life. It ordered justice and prohibited injustice; it preserved for man all his rights and dignity.

Dear brothers:

In continuation of the straight path, the late King Abdulaziz had established this great entity and had overcome all obstacles by implementing the Islamic rules with a sincere desire and absolute love for his country and people. He achieved all what he was aiming for, and this great entity was thus established.

He has set the Islamic creed as a base in running the affairs of this country; and the work has continued with this approach in this country, whether through the National Council, which was established when the State was founded, or through the open doors and the relationship between citizens and their rulers, in the framework of the mutual interest.

After that, the Basic Law of Governance was issued, and then was the Law of the National Council; the Law of Provinces came after and was followed by the Cabinet Law. All of these laws came as a reflection to a reality and as a continuous development to the country.

The National Council we are inaugurating today has become a successful experiment by all standards; it has accomplished in its first term many achievements in the fields in concern, not to mentions the connections which were established, and the exchanged visits with other councils in other countries.

Our march was and still successful in its implementation of the principle of consultation and the organization of the relationship between citizens and their rulers. The experience of the previous term stressed the importance of increasing the number of members of the Council to ninety members: qualified in science, experienced, willing to serve their country and their religion, and willing to work hard in developing their country in all fields.

Dear brothers:

Our country enjoys all potentials and energies. It is strong in its adherence to its faith, and it is powerful with its loyal men; it moreover enjoys natural resources. It has used these resources in achieving economic and social development in all parts of the country.

Among these achievements are the expansion of the Two Holy Mosques, serving them, and taking care of the holy sites, which facilitated for our Muslim brothers the means needed for pilgrimage and other religious duties.

In the field of development, the government of Saudi Arabia has always continued to set comprehensive plans, which focused on the rehabilitation of the Saudi citizen, in the various scientific and vocational fields.

In the field of education, our country has become among the pioneer countries in this field. Schools, universities, colleges and technical institutes, across the Kingdom, graduate each year thousands of men and women who are ready to serve their country.

In the field of industry, the private sector has grown steadily, and with the continuing support of the State it has been able to participate effectively in the developmental plans today. Many factories, which produce thousands of essential and luxurious goods, have been established.

In the field of agriculture, our country produces a lot of its needs of grains, fruits and vegetables. Also, it provides large quantities of desalinated water in cities, villages, and in remote places and mountainous areas, despite all natural obstacles and huge financial costs.

Dear brothers:

Our country has always been distinguished for its external relations, for the strong bounds between us and our brothers, and for the good relationship with our friends. We are always working to unify our word and attitude, and defend Islamic issues, especially those of the Palestinian people: their right to their land and their right to exercise their legitimate ruling. One of the most important issues we are facing is the issue of Jerusalem. We have always emphasized our firm attitude toward this city, and toward Al-Aqsa Mosque.

We have always assured our support and our concern for the peace process. True peace comes, in our point of view, only by giving rights to their owners, and returning the city of Jerusalem to its people.

Dear brothers – members of the National Council- today you are undertaking a responsibility, that can only be fulfilled by being sincere in conducting work publicly or secretly, and you are up to that responsibility, for you are qualified.

In conclusion, we would like to laud the efforts of Majlis Ash Shura members in its first term and their sincerity and devotion in conducting their duties.

Also, we would like to thank our brothers, the former members of the Council; we wish them all success.

Likewise, we would like to laud the efforts of the Speaker of the Council, his Vice-speaker and all employees of the Council.

End of speech

The Speech of the Speaker of the National Ash-shura Council Sheik Mohammed Bin Ibrahim Bin Jubir:

The king of Saudi Arabia, King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz,
Your Royal Highness the princes,
Your Eminence the scholars,
Your Excellency the ministers,
My colleagues members of Ash-Shura National Council ,
Our honorable guests,

On this day, the Council begins its second term after completing its first term, which lasted for four years.

The period of this term will continue similarly to that of the first term.

The most distinguished feature of this term was the foundation of its administrative and procedural basics which illustrated tasks and duties. Also, administrative formations were integrated, bylaws were set forth, its relation with other governmental apparatuses became clear and its relation with other international parliaments and councils has strengthened. Such achievements were not likely to occur if it wasn't for Allah's help then your instructions, strong will, absolute support and trust.

Also, the cooperation, perseverance and efforts of my brothers and my colleagues, the Vice-Speaker of the Council, the Secretary-General of the Council, members of the Council and all employees, have contributed to the success of it in setting forth the work bases and passing critical stages in its inception and completion of all transactions and the topics that were received by the Council in its concluded term.

King Fahd, the King of Saudi Arabia,

Four years ago in your prosperous era, you inaugurated the first term of the Council in its new formation, and from its stand you delivered your speech which was a guide to be followed by the Council.

Then you came here and delivered your annual speech at the beginning of each year which inspired and motivated the Council to pursue and continue the hard work under your wise leadership.

It is a wonderful opportunity to remember the correct opinion and the profound vision of the founder of this great entity, the late, King AbdulAziz who chose the principle of consultation as a method of ruling 74 years ago.

Foreign countries have showed great interest in knowing more about this approach – the consultation principle - and have exchanged visits with the Council – which led to the widespread use of this Islamic notion.

On this occasion, I would like, on behalf of the Council, to express sincere thanks and appreciation to all its members, particularly the former ones, and to laud their efforts and contributions. I also express my appreciation to those who bear the difficulties of transportation to attend the Council sessions and committees.

In the first year, the Council began to hold its sessions once every two weeks. However, because of the trust of your Majesty by referring many important issues to be study in the Council, the Council now holds its sessions every week, and some times the session may extend to two successive days.

As for the specialized committees, during the entire term of the Council, they were held at least once a week.

As a result of these intensive meetings and the interest of the Council members to complete the work entrusted to them without delay, the Council's achievements were as follows:

The current Council began by the opening under your honorable auspices on 16/07/ 1414 A.H., and then it held its first session after four days. The first resolution that was taken by the Council was the formation of the eight committees. During the period from the start of the Council's events until 2/3/1418 A.H., the committees held (727 meetings), examined (143) and submitted (143) reports.

The works conducted by the Council can be summarized as follows:

(158) subjects were referred to the Council, it held (143) meetings, examined (133) subjects and issued (133) resolutions. Also, the General Panel held (68) meetings and issued (18) resolutions.

The Council has showed great interest regarding researches and studies as a proper way to look at statistics, which will assist the Council in expressing the right opinion and in taking the appropriate decision. The Studies Dept. in the Council has prepared (49) studies in a variety of vital fields of interest to the country and citizens.

Within the framework of integration which characterizes the relationship between the state and citizens, the Council is concerned with receiving views and suggestions of citizens deeply and patiently. This task has been assigned to the Petitions Committee in the Council that act as a link between the Council and the citizens.

Needless to emphasize, the Council is keen to issue resolutions that come in line with the Islamic creed, and that do not contradict with any of the Islamic fundamentals. The Council studies all issues carefully and seeks to issue advanced and scientific resolutions based on views of specialists and experiences of executors and beneficiaries.

Dear brothers:

In this pleasant occasion, I would like to welcome all new members of the Council in the latest formation. Also, I would like to commend the good choice of them and the diversity of their experiences and specialties, and the sincere efforts they have made in their positions prior to their nomination to the Council.

In the end, I assure you that the Council looks forward to a prosperous stage of granting contributions and constructive interaction in order to serve our country.

End of Speech