On his state visit to the Republic of South Africa, Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, today addressed members of the Saudi-South African Business Council in Pretoria, and remarked on the good reputation enjoyed by Saudi businessmen that he had previously sensed during his visits to Britain, France, the United States, China, South Korea and Japan. He went on to say that what links people nowadays is the economy, and that investment between Saudi Arabia and South Africa will strengthen economic ties between them.

In the presence of the Crown Prince and the South African minister for energy and mines representing Vice President Thabo Mbeki, Chairman of the Saudi Council of Chambers of Commerce Abdulrahman Ibn Ali Al-Jeraisey and Mr. Kaya Nakola of the South African Industrial Development Commission, signed a memorandum of understanding.

Today, Crown Prince Abdullah also laid the foundation stone for the King Fahd Mosque in Johannesburg. The mosque is a gift from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz for the Muslims of South Africa. When finished, the complex will include a school for teaching Qur'an and a hall for Islamic conferences. The mosque, which enjoys a central location, will hold two thousand worshipers, with an additional upper level reserved for women. In an impromptu speech on the occasion, Crown Prince Abdullah said: "My brothers, Islam is a religion of peace, love and faithfulness to the Islamic creed and to every Muslim. Islam is for building and not for destruction. I advise all of you, to fear Allah first and last, and remain united; also, to serve your country and be aware of intruders who pose as Muslims and create divisions among Muslim brethren."

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