King holds annual reception for heads of Hajj Missions
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, held here today the annual reception for Islamic dignitaries and heads of Hajj missions, who performed Hajj this year.
Among the most prominent personalities who attended the reception were Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, Sierra Leone's President Alhaj Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, Palestine Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, Chairman of Egypt's People's Assembly Ahmed Fathi Sorour, Iraqi Vice President Adel Abdulmahdi and Mauritius Vice-President Abdul-Rauf Bondhoun.
The reception was also attended by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul-Aziz, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Abdul-Rahman Bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation; Prince Miteb Bin Abdul-aziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Naif bin Abdul-Aziz, the Minister of Interior, a number of other princes, high-ranking officials and ambassadors of Arab and Islamic countries accredited to the Kingdom.
The commencement of the reception ceremony started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran.
A speech ceremony was held on this occasion.
Addressing the Muslim personalities and Heads of Hajj Mission, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques congratulated them on the blessed Eid al-Adha and wished them many happy returns, praising Almighty Allah for enabling them to perform their Hajj rituals easily and comfortably. The monarch wished them safe return to their countries, noting that Allah will reward acceptable Hajj with paradise.
The King said,'' You came from various countries meeting in one place on a certain time. There is no difference among you except for piety. Here, people are united and differences disappear. There is no tie other than firm faith in the hearts. This great scene stresses that Allah can unite the hearts of this nation. If we are sincere towards religion, Allah will achieve victory and glory for us. Thereby we will be an effective nation in the front rather than in the back."
In his speech, the Minister of Hajj Dr. Fouad bin Abdulsalam al-Farsy reminded the audience of remarks of the King and the Crown Prince in the Holy Month of Ramadan saying that pilgrims are dear to our hearts and Makkah, Madinah and the Holy Places have been given priorities.
He praised unprecedented achievements of projects in various fields in the Holy Places particularly the project of Jamarat bridge development whose total costs amount to SR 4.2 billion.
For his part, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulmohsin al-Turki, the Secretary General of Muslim World League congratulated the King and the Crown Prince on the blessed Eid al-Adha, noting that Hajj rituals have been performed very well, thanks to the great efforts being exerted by the concerned bodies in the Kingdom.
He pointed out the Kingdom has been founded on moderate, just and tolerant Islam which is mercy to all mankind.
On behalf of the guests, Dr. Mufid Shihab, Egypt's Minister of Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils and Head of Egyptian Hajj Mission commended the Kingdom under the leadership of the King and the Crown Prince for the distinguished services provided to pilgrims at all health, social, humanitarian and religious levels.
Then they all had luncheon at the King's banquet.