London, England - Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, in Britain on an official state visit, on Tuesday called on Muslims living in the country to behave as worthy British citizens.
Flanked by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles at a lavish halal banquet thrown in his honor, the Saudi monarch appealed to Muslims to show what he said was the true face of their religion.
"I should like to take this opportunity to call upon our Muslim brethren living in Britain to be honest and upright Muslims and worthy British citizens, striving to build and construct so that they may convey the true image of the principles of Islam, those eternal principles of love, mercy and moderation," he told about 170 assembled guests at Buckingham Palace.
Abdullah's comments appeared to be directed at a radical fringe of British Muslims who argue that accepting the responsibilities of their country's citizenship is incompatible with the proper observance of Islamic law.
His appeal for moderation may also be aimed at countering critics who argue that his country promotes a reactionary brand of Islam in Britain and elsewhere. In a report timed to coincide with Abdullah's message, a conservative British think tank accused agencies linked to the Saudi government of distributing extremist literature to mosques and Islamic centers across the country.
The Policy Exchange said the material expressed a deep-rooted antipathy toward Western society and called for violence against women and gays who demand equal rights.
In his speech, the king said he admired Britain's spirit of tolerance.
"I can only give the highest praise to all that I see in British society in the way of toleration of all races, creeds and color," he said.