A senior adviser to Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman wrote an effusive statement describing the prince’s meeting with President Trump, saying it marked a “historic turning point in bilateral relation of the two countries.”
The statement noted that relations had undergone a period marked by differences of opinion, but things are back on track now thanks to Trump’s “great understanding” of relationship between the two countries and problems vexing the region.
On the issue of Trump’s travel ban, the prince had no problem with it and does not believe it targets Muslim countries.
“This measure is a sovereign decision aimed at preventing terrorists from entering the United States of America. President Trump expressed his deep respect for the Religion of Islam,” the statement read.
The meeting addressed a wide range of issues, including Iran, terrorism, economic opportunities, and even border walls.
“Both sides discussed the Saudi successful experience in building a fence on the Saudi-Iraqi border, which led to preventing illegal entrance of individuals, as well as preventing smuggling operations,” the statement says, noting the prince’s regret that the country didn’t do the same thing along its border with Yemen.
Finally, the statement dedicated a lengthy paragraph to addressing the prince’s surprise regarding Trump’s “positive attitude and clarifications” about his stance toward Islam, which differs from how the media has portrayed him.
“Prince Mohammed considers his Excellency [Trump] as a true friend of Muslims who will serve the Muslim World in an unimaginable manner, opposite to the negative portrait of his Excellency [Trump] that some have tried to promote whether through publishing unjust statements that are taken out of their context or by means of unrealistic media commentaries and analyses about his Excellency.”