Makkah, Ramadan 29, 1438, June 24, 2017, SPA -- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense received a telephone call yesterday from Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, in which he congratulated him on his new selection and appointment, wishing him all success in serving his religion, homeland, Arab and Islamic nations under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Dr. Al-Tayeb expressed Al-Azhar's condemnation of the failed terrorist attack that targeted the Grand Holy Mosque in Makkah on Friday, stressing Al-Azhar's stand with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in combating terrorism and confronting it until it is eradicated and uprooted. For his part, the Crown Prince expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's appreciation to Al-Azhar and its important role in clarifying the truths of Islam and the dissemination of religion, especially in this delicate stage being experienced by our Arab and Islamic nation. The Crown Prince pointed out that the Islamic nation is counting greatly on the role of religious institutions in the coming stage, praising the efforts being led by Sheikh Al-Azhar in confronting the extremist ideology and terrorist groups. The Crown Prince congratulated Sheikh of Al-Azhar on the advent of Eid al-Fitr, praying to Allah Almighty for its returns to Arab and Islamic nations with welfare, prosperity and blessings. --SPA 12:05 LOCAL TIME 09:05 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w435170