Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Saturday received an honorary doctorate degree in the service of humanity from Umm Al-Qura University. Higher Education Minister Dr. Khaled Al-Anqari and Dr. Bakri bin Maetouk Assas, the university’s president, presented the degree to the king.
Speaking at a ceremony at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah, Assas commended King Abdullah for the international recognition he achieved for humanitarian services. He referred to the king’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of Pakistan’s flood victims and his historic initiative to promote interfaith dialogue.
The university chief highlighted King Abdullah’s contributions to protect human rights in the Kingdom, strengthen national economy by establishing mega economic cities, and resolve global financial crisis by taking part in world economic summits.
Assas underscored the king’s endeavors to promote higher education in the Kingdom as the number of government universities rose from eight to 24 after he ascended the throne in August 2005. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Thuwal, an international research university, is the king’s brainchild.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah also received a shield from Muslim World League Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Turki on the occasion of MWL’s 50th anniversary. He later received the father and children of Lt. Col. Abdullah Al-Zahrani, a Saudi air force pilot who died in a plane crash during a training flight in Spain.
