Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

King Abdullah: Security of Hajj Pilgrims Sacred Responsibility | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Mecca/Mina, Asharq Al-Awsat – The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz said that Saudi Arabia is aware of the magnitude of its responsibility to protect Hajj pilgrims, but at the same time it will not accept or tolerate anybody disrupting the blessed pilgrimage and undermining the security of the holy places.

The King stressed that the security of the pilgrims “is a responsibility that does not accept laxity and softness, and we will only deal with this firmly and decisively.”

In a speech given to Hajj pilgrims on Saturday, King Abdullah said that Saudi Arabia “is aware of the magnitude of the sacred and pre-eminent responsibility entrusted to it by Almighty God and is able to fulfil this important responsibility…to serve the pilgrims and visitors without waiting for thanks or gratitude.”

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques stayed at the Royal Palace in Mina yesterday, where the annual reception for Islamic dignitaries and heads of the hajj mission was held.

King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz also opened the King Abdullah Medical City [KAMC] in Mecca, and the Mina al Wadi hospital in Mina. Both of these medical institutions will serve the people of Mecca and the pilgrims throughout the year. KAMC is the third largest medical institution in Saudi Arabia, and covers an area of approximately 800,000 square meters. It was constructed as part of the Ministry of Health’s National Project for Comprehensive Health Care. The Mina al Wadi hospital was designed to provide quality medical care to pilgrims. The hospital’s construction was completed in just 11 months, and the hospital has an overall capacity of 200 beds.