Pretoria, January 14, 2022, SPA — Grand Holy Mosque Imam and Preacher in Makkah, Sheikh Dr. Maher bin Hamad Al-Muaiqly, has reiterated that the tolerance of Islam does not contradict the preservation of homelands, security and safety, the promotion of integrity, the fight against corruption, and the confrontation of extremism and terrorism and that tolerance and moderation do not mean weakness and defeatism. In his Friday sermon delivered at Dar Al-Salam Mosque in South Africa, he said: "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken the lead in consolidating the meanings of Islamic tolerance, moderation, and combating extremism through organizing conferences, meetings, seminars, and cooperation with scholars and leaders in other countries." Meanwhile, the Kingdom's Ambassador to South Africa, Sultan bin Abdullah Al-Anqari, held a dinner party in honor of Imam Al-Muaiqly, attended by ambassadors of Arab and Islamic countries and senior political and Islamic figures in South Africa. Ambassador Al-Anqari delivered a speech in which he stressed the importance of the visit and the status enjoyed by the imams of the Two Holy Mosques in the hearts of all Muslims around the world, noting the great efforts made by the Kingdom in serving Islam and Muslims and spreading the values of moderation, and tolerance that the Islamic religion affirms. Sheikh Al-Muaiqly is currently visiting South Africa, to attend the closing ceremony of the Holy Quran Competition, which is organized by the Muslim Supreme Council of South Africa (MUSCOOSA). —SPA 17:55 LOCAL TIME 14:55 GMT 0006 www.spa.gov.sa/w1839676