Jeddah, Shawwal 26, 1439, July 10, 2018, SPA -- The International Conference of Muslim Ulema on Peace and Stability in Afghanistan, co-hosted by the Saudi cities of Jeddah and Makkah, started here today and will last for two days. Addressing the opening session, Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, Secretary General of the Jeddah-based Islamic Cooperation Organization (ICO), thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his Crown Prince, for the efforts being exerted to hold this conference. He called on the Afghani government and Afghani community to respond to the sincere call issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to reach conciliation and work for the stability and security of their country and welfare of their people. He expressed hope that the conference would consolidate peace and stability in Afghanistan and denounce terror and extremism in all its forms. He said the conference would provide a platform to get the situation in Afghanistan discussed from the points of view of Afghani Ulema. For his part, the minister of Islamic affairs, call and guidance Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh conveyed the keenness of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on the stability of Afghanistan, drawing the attention of the Afghan Ulema to the great responsibility they are shouldering towards their people. The representative of Afghanistan, Mualay Quamuddin Kashaf, who chairs the Afghanistan Ulema Council, thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his continuous stand by the side of the people of Afghanistan, hoping that the conference would yield satisfying fruits. Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, the Imam and preacher of the Grand mosque, said, in his capacity as representative of Islamic Ulema, that hosing the conference by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia comes within the care of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his Crown Prince for the service of Islamic Ummah to bring about peace and security and spread the spirit of tolerance and co-existence everywhere. Tomorrow's session will move to Al-Diyafa (hospitality) palace in Makkah. --SPA 17:15 LOCAL TIME 14:15 GMT 0020 www.spa.gov.sa/w714966