King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah greet Muslims on occasion of Eid Al-Adha

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz and Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz on February 22 congratulated citizens, pilgrims and Muslims worldwide on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, the celebrations marking the conclusion of Hajj, the pilgrimage to the Holy Mosque in Makkah. In an address broadcast on radio and television, they expressed happiness at observing more than two million pilgrims from across Saudi Arabia and the world perform their rituals in ease and comfort, reiterated the Saudi government’s commitment to exert every effort to ensure this, called for unity among Muslims, denounced terrorism and urged a peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli crisis. 

“From the blessed vicinity of … the inviolable house of God, we extend to you a warm welcome and convey to you our cordial greetings,” the message stated, describing the gathering of more than two million Muslims on the Plain of Arafat as part of the Hajj rituals as “a majestic sight” and said the pilgrims performed the rites in an “atmosphere of perfect amity and harmony. An aura of serenity, calm and other-worldliness dominates the scene. The unity of Muslims is projected in its most ideal form, and human equality is at its best.” 

King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah noted that Saudi Arabia “feels greatly honored by the responsibility for the proper maintenance of the Muslim holy places in Makkah and Madinah. It has devoted itself to the performance of this duty, and also to seeking ways by which pilgrims are provided with whatever facilities are deemed helpful to them in completing their rituals. 

“God has restrained [mankind] from doing mischief and wreaking destruction. God has made of the Muslims an ummah (community) that is justly balanced … enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in God. Each Muslim has a positive role to play in this world, and should do everything in his or her power to perform this role, which aims at promoting the welfare of mankind, achieving stability, discharging rights, averting evil, eliminating injustice and making others happy. Islam is indeed a religion of mercy for all mankind. 

“Muslims should be fully aware that Islam forbids aggression. It addresses itself to man’s rational thinking. It opposes backwardness and calls for the adoption of measures conducive to development …  And finally, justice should be allowed to run its course in handling all matters and dealing with all people wherever they may be.” 

King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah observed that support for the Palestinians is a central element of Saudi policy. “We have been calling for the enforcement of what is right and implementation of the relevant United Nations resolutions. The issue of Palestine has gone through several phases and in each phase Israel has shown itself more adamant and more overbearing than before. It has been subjecting our brothers there to various kinds of tyranny and persecution in full view of the entire world. It has made a mockery of United Nations resolutions and of human rights. 

“From this great place, we call on the world to accept its responsibilities and call a halt to Israeli aggression for the benefit of the entire comity of nations; and to work towards implementation of the United Nations resolutions as a starting point towards the establishment of world peace based on justice and equality.” 

The message added: “Our relations with non-Muslims are governed by Islamic teachings and principles. … Our religion commands us to be kind and just to non-Muslims.” In this respect, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands against terror: this is the starting point of all our international relations. … It has been the basic element in the stability of these relations over the years and it was instrumental in helping us maintain an unchanged attitude toward world issues as time passed by. 

“Our constant attitude towards terrorism is therefore clear. As we see it, terror is doing mischief in the land and seeking to bring about its ruin [actions explicitly condemned in the Holy Qur’an]. …   Terrorism is spreading mischief in the land and its perpetrators should be punished, no matter who they are or where they may be.” 

In this respect, the message called for a “clear-cut definition of terrorism worldwide,” and stressed the need to “take into consideration the right of peoples who are under occupation to liberate their lands through legitimate resistance.” 

King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah urged all people to observe God’s command to respect their fellow human beings. Doing so “would put an end to all forms of violence, tyranny, and despotism. The world would then move from the phase of conflict and the logic of aggression and revenge to a phase marked by stability and dominated by justice and equality under the slogan of meaningful dialogue.” 

King Fahd replies to cable from President Bush

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz on February 22 replied to greetings on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha [celebrations marking the conclusion of the Hajj] sent by U.S. President George W. Bush, and expressed his gratitude and those of the Saudi government and people. In his message to President Bush, King Fahd praised the close relations that exist between the two countries and stressed their close cooperation for their mutual interests, and for security and peace in the region. King Fahd went on to say: “The regrettable terrorist events that took place in the United States on September 11 will not in any way affect our historical relations with the friendly American people, for whom we have respect and appreciation.” 

President Bush’s cable expressed appreciation of the Kingdom’s support for the fight against terrorism. He also issued a message to Muslims in the United States congratulating them on the advent of Eid Al-Adha that emphasized “the remarkable contributions of American Muslims to our history, culture, and way of life.” 

More than two million pilgrims perform Hajj in safety and comfort

More than two million pilgrims from over 160 countries successfully performed Hajj, rituals based on those conducted by the Prophet Muhammad during his last visit to Makkah. The pilgrimage to the Holy Mosque in Makkah this year was free of any major incidents or diseases, largely due to a massive government undertaking. 

Makkah Province Governor Prince Abdulmajeed bin Abdulaziz, who heads the Central Hajj Committee, said the authority had efficiently prepared for the pilgrimage and supervised the efforts of various government agencies to transport, house and feed the pilgrims, and provide for them a range of services, from health care to telecommunications facilities. 

The pilgrims began arriving in Saudi Arabia in late January and early February. The vast majority were handled through the Hajj Terminal at the Jeddah International Airport, although some entered the Kingdom by sea or overland. A fleet of more than 15,000 specially-prepared modern buses transported the pilgrims to Mina, where they were accommodated in air-conditioned fire-proof tents. Hundreds of vast kitchen complexes provided food, while thousands of drinking fountains supplied cold water. Pilgrims performed their ablutions at special facilities situated adjacent to the tents. 

Hundreds of clinics and other facilities have been established throughout Mina and the other holy sites, including the vast plain of Arafat, where the two million pilgrims congregated, before passing on to perform the final rituals in Makkah.  

The final act of the pilgrimage is the sacrificing of animals, which is performed at a modern facility. Most of the meat of the 600,000 sacrificial sheep is processed and sent to needy people in 27 countries. Shipments were flown out of Jeddah International Airport to Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Most of the meat, however, is being sent by ship throughout the region and the world after being processed, packaged and frozen. 

Meanwhile, after the conclusion of the Hajj, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz hosted the traditional reception in Mina for visiting Muslim dignitaries and heads of pilgrim missions. The reception was attended by senior officials from Mauritania, Chad, Mauritius, Bangladesh, Sudan, Ghana, Tanzania, and 20 other countries. The reception, which was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector-General Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz and a number of senior Saudi officials, was an opportunity for the national Hajj delegation leaders to meet with the Saudi leadership. Addressing the gathering, Minister of Pilgrimage Iyad Madani spoke of the great efforts exerted by Saudi government agencies and highlighted future efforts to ensure the safety and comfort of the pilgrims.