His Majesty King Abdullah II on Monday met Muslim scholars taking part in the Al al-Bayt Foundation for Islamic Thought conference which opened under the Royal patronage at the Royal Cultural Centre on Sunday, with the participation of over one hundred Muslim scholars and clerics representing about forty Arab and Muslim countries including Russia, the U.S. and Europe.

During the meeting, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hamzah, Princes of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and the Royal Court Chief, King Abdullah thanked the Muslim intellectuals for their valuable participation in the conference and their efforts to promote the true image of Islam in the age of technology revolution.

Participants in the three-day conference, entitled the " Future of Islam in the 15th Century of the Hijri era, will discuss 24 research papers covering topics such as the impact of technology and telecommunications on the Islamic nation, Islam and extremism, the clash of civilizations and secularism in Muslim societies.

Addressing the opening session on Sunday, Crown Prince Hamzah, the Higher President of the Al al-Bayt Foundation, criticised the international media outlets for what he called their attempt to mar the true image of Islam and spread despair and frustration among people.

"These attempts by some in the international media to distort the image of Islam are the harshest we face these days" Prince Hamzah told the audience. He called on Muslim scholars to roll up their sleeves and come up with practical solutions to guide the Muslim nations.

King Abdullah hosted a dinner banquet at Basman Palace in honour of the Muslim scholars. His Majesty also bestowed on Dr. Ibrahi Shbuh, advisor to HRH Crown Prince Hamza the president of the foundation Al Hussein Medal for Distinguished Giving of the First Order.