Saudi Arabia is the vibrant heart of the Islamic world as Muslims worldwide focus on it, given its significant role and efforts in service of Islam and Muslims, President of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has said.

He praised the wisdom and vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, in support of the Islamic Ummah (Nation), rejection of extremism and combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

In an exclusive statement to Emirates News Agency before heading to Saudi Arabia on Sunday, President Kadyrov said, "Saudi Arabia has pledged since its establishment to care about the pilgrims who flock to it from all corners of the globe. It provides all the facilities to them to perform their rituals conveniently and peacefully."

He reiterated the important role Saudi Arabia plays in the fight against terrorism. "Saudi Arabia is a leader in this field through cooperating and contributing effectively to international efforts to tackle the terrorism, liquidate its funding, as well as its unwavering commitment to implementing international resolutions issued by the UN Security Council pertaining to the counter-terrorism," he added.

The President of Chechnya said there were recent attempts to divide the Islamic unity through the promotion of the Conference "Who are the people of the Sunni," which was held in the Chechen capital, Grozny, on August 25, on the ground that it excluded a group or a particular country, stressing that the Republic of Chechnya and Saudi Arabia are one body.

Chechnya believes Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates work for the unity of the Islamic nation, promote peace, tolerance and fight against the terrorism, he added.

He noted that he sensed during his recent meeting with HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, the keenness of Saudi Arabia, led by King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, to work for the unity of the Islamic nation and strengthen relations in all fields.

The Chechen President expressed at the conclusion of his statement the desire of Chechnya to deepen and strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia to serve the interests of the peoples of both countries and the Islamic world as a whole.

The Chechen government's high-level delegation is already in Saudi Arabia to prepare for visit of the Chechen president to discuss ways to strengthen relations between the two sides in all fields.