[2] The 70 people appointed by then-Crown Prince Abdullah to the dialogue included Shia, women and some noted liberals—in what one source (The Economist) called "unusually for Saudi Arabia.

In an address delivered on the occasion of the Center’s inauguration, the King expressed his hope that it would become a channel for responsible dialogue and would be effective in spreading the noble values embodied in the virtues of justice, equality and tolerance.

One of such moves was then-Crown Prince Abdallah's project to encourage more tolerance for religious diversity and rein in the forces of politico-religious extremism in the kingdom.

In the summer of 2003, Abdallah threw his considerable weight behind the creation of a national dialogue that brought leading religious figures together, including a highly publicized meeting attended by the kingdom's preeminent Shi'i scholar Hasan al-Saffar, as well as a group of Sunni clerics who had previously expressed their loathing for the Shi'i minority.

The Center also undertakes the study and discussion of issues of national importance which affect the lives of Saudi citizens, and participates in the advancement of the nation through facilitating the participation of all the different groups, points of view and institutions in Saudi society through dialogue[citation needed] The objective of the Center was expressed as follows:[8] The main objective is to combat extremism and foster a pure atmosphere that give[s] rise to wise positions and illuminating ideas that reject terrorism and terrorist thought … the dialogue will not accept turning freedom into obscene abuse, name calling or