Top Saudi cleric 'blesses' Trump's Islamic summit in Riyadh

The upcoming Riyadh-based Islamic summit, which is expected to bring together Muslim leaders and US President Donald Trump for the first time, was described as "blessed" by a top Saudi cleric on Friday.

The imam of the holy city of Mecca, Sheikh Saleh bin Hamid, praised the "blessed meeting that will bring together brothers and friends", in comments made during his Friday sermon.

He urged participants "to show realism... and to stress the negative impact of interferences in regional affairs", Saudi state news reported him as saying.

He appeared to be referring to the mainly Sunni kingdom's regional rival, Shia-dominated Iran, as the two countries have taken opposing sides in wars in Syria and Yemen.

The imam said interference in the Middle East has "exacerbated confessional, religious, nationalist and ethnic conflicts", and called on summit participants to act to "stem armed chaos provoked by terrorists and their sponsors".

Trump, who will make Saudi Arabia the first overseas stop of his presidency on Saturday, is expected to give a speech about Islam to 50 leaders of Muslim countries at the summit.

In his sermon, the imam urged those attending the summit to work towards "constructive dialogue, cooperation and tolerance".

"The world must know the nation of Islam is proud of its religion, its identity, its values and its culture", but also "believes in human and cultural diversity", he said.

"Relations between states and nations must be based on equality and mutual respect."

Last year, the ultra-conservative kingdom launched an ambitious programme of social and economic reforms dubbed 'Vision 2030'.

Earlier this month, another Saudi cleric found himself in hot water after he publicly made a prayer for 'servant of Allah' Trump to advance the interests of Muslims.