Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Saudi King praises armed forces in Eid address | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, delivers a statement on this week’s events in Egypt. (Saudi Press Agency)


The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, delivers a statement on this week’s events in Egypt. (Saudi Press Agency)

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, delivers a statement on this week’s events in Egypt. (Saudi Press Agency)

Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, reserved special praise for Saudi Arabia’s armed and security forces in a speech delivered on his behalf by Crown Prince Salman to celebrate Eid Al-Adha on Tuesday.

The speech read: “The nation and its people will never forget your historic role in defeating the agents of Satan, the deviant groups. We will always remember the martyrs of duty who departed our world, sacrificing their lives for the protection of their homeland’s security, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. We pray that they rest in peace and God Almighty rewards them in Paradise. Let all the supporters of right who have been injured know that every wound they have been dealt is a medal of pride and that we hold them in the highest regard.”

Crown Prince Salman read out King Abdullah’s speech in Mina on Tuesday before the Grand Mufti, and an audience comprised of princes, scholars, ministers, and military commanders.

King Abdullah’s speech continued: “In many situations, you have proved that you are descendants of great men who have marched behind their leader and the unifier of our country—late King Abdulaziz. We have seen and continue to see the results of their sacrifices today, the unity of faith and the homeland, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

“Today, you continue the march of sacrifice to serve Islam, and then the homeland. So, you are following the same path with God’s help and strength. This is a huge responsibility that is only shouldered by those who have faith in their hearts, and loyalty and devotion to this nation and the protection of its security, citizens, and sovereignty from the ambitions of the greedy or the malice of the haters,” he added.

“In this, you solely depend on God Almighty and then on your own vigilance to discharge your duty and responsibilities before your people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to whom you belong, and who appreciate and are proud of what you are doing,” the speech concluded.

Commenting on the historic role played by Saudi Arabia during the Hajj, the speech also proclaimed: “We take pride in ourselves, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its people and government, for what we have done to serve pilgrims of the Grand Mosque. We pride ourselves as loyal and faithful men of God Almighty and this homeland.”

King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman exchanged Eid cables of congratulations with a number of Arab and Muslim leaders and heads of state, including the King of Bahrain, Emir of Kuwait, King of Jordan, Emir of Kuwait, and others.