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King, Crown Prince address Citizens, Pilgrims and Muslims | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques arrives in Mina (SPA)


Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques arrives in Mina (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques arrives in Mina (SPA)

Mina, Saudi Arabia, SPA — The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz, the Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General have addressed citizens, pilgrims and all Muslims on the occasion of the blessed Eid Al-Adha of 1428 AH/2007.

The address of the King and his Crown Prince was read by Culture and Information Minister Iyad bin Ameen Madani through information media organs. The following is the text of the speech:

“In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, peace and prayers be on the last of the Prophets and Messengers. Dear brothers and sisters, may peace and God’s mercy and blessings. Islam came into being to usher into a new birth of humanity, where testimony was given that there is no God except one God, which forms the first pillar of the pillars of Islam, to declare the emancipation of human beings from the shackles of slavery except to the slavery of God; and imposed a prayer to always remind Allah Almighty’s slaves to remember that they have to prostrate, kneel and prays for the creator; The fasting of Ramadan is to remind the human being to always think of himself and his weakness and the only way for his safety is to control his wishes and instincts and not to led by them. However Zakat confirmed the Muslim social responsibility towards society and towards the brotherhood of the human being.

In pilgrimage, the greatest Jihad is to show in the clearest terms before God, the bondage of human being and to stand in front of himself and his sins as well as pelting his satanic temptations, showing his readiness for repentance.

In the plains of Arafat, in the Holy Mosque and in the land of “Taiyba al-Taiyba” (The Prophet city), the slave prays and appeals to his God for forgiveness and pardon as if he is all alone before his creator in this universe. Thus, thousands of men and women of this nation, demonstrate the richness of the Nation of Islam and its pluralism, and its unity. In pilgrimage, this individual responsibility is vividly reflected by every Muslim. At the same time, this bond links Muslims into an integrated nation.

With blessings, Allah Almighty enabled a huge number of Muslims to perform Hajj this year. With blessings, Allah enabled this country, its people, its government and leadership to be in the service of the guests of Allah. We pray to Allah Almighty to accept the pilgrimage of every pilgrim. We also pray to Allah to perpetuate his bounties on his worshippers and show mercy to them in every place as well as provide them with contentment and enhance the strength of the nation of Islam making it more and more stronger. Wish you all a blessed and prosperous year. May peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.”

On Wednesday morning, Muslims performed prayers of Eid Al-Adha throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In Mecca, the citizens and the pilgrims performed prayers and since the early morning hours, thousands of pilgrims poured into the Holy Mosque of Mecca.

Eid prayers in Mecca were led by Dr Saud Al-Shireim, the Imam of the Haram.

Muslim pilgrims cast pebbles at the column symbolizing the devil during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mina near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 19 December 2007 (EPA)

Muslim pilgrims cast pebbles at the column symbolizing the devil during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mina near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 19 December 2007 (EPA)

Muslim pilgrims flock around Namira mosque at Mount Arafat, southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca, 18 December 2007 (AFP)

Muslim pilgrims flock around Namira mosque at Mount Arafat, southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca, 18 December 2007 (AFP)