(WASHINGTON, DC) - The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz said that Saudi Arabia is combatting terrorism and extremism at all levels during a statement yesterday in Makkah at the opening ceremony of the conference on Islam and counterterrorism, organized by the Muslim World League. King Salman’s remarks were presented by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, governor of Makkah and advisor to King Salman.

King Salman said that Saudi Arabia has “tried hard to fight terrorism as an ideology and practice and used its national security apparatus to combat terrorism relentlessly.” He continued, “… our Air Force is part of the international coalition fighting these terrorists.”

King Salman said Islamic extremists have violated all Islamic principles and are a danger to Islam. He said that these radicals, who are carrying “a falsified Islamic banner,” have promoted a version of Islam which is “fueling the international opinion to hate Muslims.” He continued, “Islam is a religion of tolerance, love and peace that rejects violence, terror and extremism.”

Also speaking at the opening session were the Sheikh of Al Azhar Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Tayeb; the Secretary General of Muslim World League (MWL) Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulmohsen Al-Turki; and Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-AsShaikh, Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of the Council of Senior Ulema (religious scholars) and the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta, and Chairman of the MWL. They called on the Muslim world to shoulder its responsibility to fight terrorism while stressing the importance of education and the media to portray the true religion of Islam.

Saudi Arabia vehemently condemns terrorism. Last year, the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz provided the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Center with a donation of $100 million to enhance its capabilities and effectiveness in helping countries combat terrorism.