Japakiya condemned the repeated attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militias, and called for a firm stand on Iran’s intervention in the region and its attempts to incite sectarian strife BANGKOK: Saudi Arabia’s efforts to “serve the Muslims of Thailand and the world” have been praised by Ismail Lutfi Japakiya, rector of Fatoni University and a member of the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League. The Kingdom is “at the forefront of all that matters to Muslims and defending their causes,” Japakiya said. He was speaking following a meeting with Youssef bin Abdullah Al-Hamoudi, the Islamic adviser at the Saudi Embassy in Thailand. “The Thai people have been indebted to the Kingdom throughout history for the care it gives them, facilitating Hajj and Umrah, building mosques and Islamic centers, providing books, Qur’an copies and books of interpretation, organizing iftar projects, distributing dates, and sending students and scholars who promote moderate Islam,” Japakiya said. “King Salman is an experienced leader who loves all Muslims around the world. He has devoted his time and effort to unite Muslims, defend their causes, contribute to protecting them from harm, promote moderate Islam, and fight extremism and terrorism.” Japakiya condemned the repeated attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militias, and called for a firm stand on Iran’s intervention in the region and its attempts to incite sectarian strife. He confirmed his support for moves by Saudi Arabia to protect the two Holy Mosques and defend its territory. Japakiya hailed the efforts of the charge d’affaires of the Saudi Embassy in Bangkok, Abdul Ilah Al-Shuaibi, and the programs offered by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance. Al-Hamoudi said that the Ministry of Islamic Affairs seeks to achieve the aspirations of the Saudi leadership, which has made its top priority caring for the Muslims of the world. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Samat Maaloulim, director-general of the Islamic Center in Bangkok; Khalid Al-Najmi, the delegate of the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance for the Ramadan Imamah program; and a media delegation covering the ministry’s programs and events.