DUSHANBE, May 26, 2016, Asia-Plus – Tajik President Emomali Rahmon yesterday afternoon received Chairman of Majlis ash-Shura (Consultative Assembly) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al ash-Sheikh.

According to the Tajik president’s official website, the two sides discussed state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia.

They, in particular, discussed issues related to economic, investment, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two countries and activities of the joint commission of Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia for trade and economic cooperation.

Rahmon and Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al ash-Sheikh also exchanged views on expansion of inter-parliamentary ties between the two countries, including creation of a joint parliamentary committee of friendship between Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia.

Tajik president expressed gratitude to the Saudi authorities for humanitarian aid provided to the victims of natural disasters in Tajikistan.

They also discussed a number of regional and international issues being of mutual interest, including fight against organized crime, extremism, terrorism and crimes discrediting Islam.  

Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al ash-Sheikh is a member of a noted family of Saudi religious scholars, the Al ash-Sheikh.  He was born in Diriyah in 1948 and was educated by his father, Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al ash-Sheikh former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia.  He also studied the interpretation of the Quran and jurisprudence principles with the late Sheikh Abdulrazaq Afifi.  He attended the Shariah College in Riyadh (later renamed Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University) and graduated with a bachelor''s degree in Sharia in 1975.  He then studied Sharia at Al-Azhar University in Cairo and returned to Saudi Arabia to obtain a doctorate degree in 1987.  He earned his PhD degree in Fiqh from Imam Mohammed bin Saudi University in 1987.

The Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia, also known as Majlis ash-Shura or Shura Council, is the formal advisory body of Saudi Arabia, which is an absolute monarchy.  The Consultative Assembly has limited powers in government, including the power to propose laws to the King and cabinet, but it cannot pass or enforce laws, which is a power reserved for the King.  It has 150 members, all of whom are appointed by the King.  The Consultative Assembly is headed by a Speaker.