Dear Pilgrims: God Almighty has honored the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with serving the Two Holy Mosques, and we do feel happy and honored when we extend services to pilgrims, including those who perform umrah (the minor pilgrimage) and visitors of the Prophet's Mosque. We thank God Almighty for making it possible for us to serve the pilgrims and enable them to perform their rituals in comfort and ease. Hajj is not only the fifth pillar of Islam, it provides a good opportunity for Muslims to think attentively about the magnitude of the teachings of Islam.
Islam is a religion of mercy, stability, prosperity, and moderation. Muslims should adhere steadfastly to the directives of Islam, which advocate justice and righteousness. They should act honestly and honor their commitments. When they call for Islam they should do so in a wise and rational manner. It is the duty of Muslims to adhere strictly to the teachings of Islam, for without this they will never attain power and glory.
Dear Brothers: We are committed to following the teachings of Islam in our relations, obligations and resolutions. This country, unified under the leadership of King Abdulaziz, was established on the basis of Islam; it is therefore our duty to follow the teachings of the Holy Qur’an, the Sunnah (the Prophet's teaching) and the venerable forefathers. In line with the teachings of Islam, we believe in the importance of shura (consultation), justice, and the implementation of shariah [Islamic Law].
As regards the Kingdom's foreign policy, the Kingdom is desirous of playing a positive role and to lend constructive efforts; it has always been an effective partner at bilateral, regional, Arab, Islamic and international levels. As part of the Muslim world, the Kingdom shares with Muslims their sufferings as well as their good fortune, and has unwaveringly served the causes of all Muslims. The Kingdom participates in meetings of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) at both ministerial and summit levels, and maintains membership in all OIC bodies, honoring its commitments and following through on its resolutions. The Kingdom also extends unlimited support to the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and its development projects throughout the Muslim world.
Dear Brothers: The Kingdom's stand on the Palestinian issue is well-known and inalienable. The Kingdom desires the restoration of the usurped lands, and the implementation of the relevant international resolutions. The Kingdom is desirous of enhancing the pillars of peace and on supporting the peaceful initiatives which aim at enabling the Palestinians to establish their independent state with Al-Quds [East Jerusalem] as its capital. As regards the Iraqi problem, the Kingdom desires an end to the tragic situation of the Iraqi people, and wishes Iraq to be enabled to play its positive role in Arab, Islamic and international arenas. The Kingdom hopes that the Iraqi people will work together to ensure the pillars of stability and security in their country. The Kingdom's relations with other countries of the world are based on peace, love, and the principles of mutual respect.
Saudi Arabia has been unwaveringly extending relief assistance to those afflicted by disaster, most recently to victims of the earthquake and tsunami that struck southern Asia on December 26, 2004.
The Kingdom believes in coexistence as well as respect for the particularities of each country and its sovereignty, while remaining committed to the teachings of Islam in all its international obligations and agreements, be these bilateral or multi-party, especially those that pertain to global development, preservation of the environment, disarmament of weapons of mass destruction, and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Brother Muslims: The world has witnessed acts of terrorism that aim at undermining the pillars of stability and security as well as intimidating innocent people. Unfortunately these acts have been perpetrated by people who claim they belong to Islam. We would like to make it clear that these terrorist acts in fact run counter to the teachings of Islam, and have been carried out by individuals whose ideas are deviant. Terrorism leads to corruption on earth and to destruction; the Kingdom has therefore been confronting it in its various forms, and working to uproot it, refuting the deviant ideas believed in by terrorists, and clarifying Islam’s position on terrorism. Saudi Arabia has called on all peace-loving countries to work together to combat the phenomenon of terrorism through a comprehensive plan based on the United Nations. It is essential to cooperate in the fight against terrorism. No country in the world should ever provide shelter to terrorists, nor should any country ever enable them to practice their subversive acts from its territory. In line with this policy, the Kingdom has called for an international conference on combating terrorism to be convened in Riyadh on February 5, 2005.
In conclusion, we would like to congratulate Muslims throughout the word on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha. We also pray to God Almighty to close the ranks of Muslims, and to enable them to embark on the proper path. We congratulate the pilgrims here, and pray that their pilgrimage is accepted, and that they return home safely.
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