Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Holds Annual Reception for Heads of State, Islamic Dignitaries who Performed Hajj Rituals

Mina, MINA — The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud held at the Royal Court at Mina palace here today, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense, the annual reception for heads of state, Islamic dignitaries, guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, guests of government bodies and heads of delegations and pilgrim affairs offices, who performed Hajj rituals this year 1439 H (2018 G).

At the outset of the reception, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques shook hands with President Alassane Ouattara of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire; Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; Vice President of the Republic of Somaliland, Abdirahman Abdullahi Ismail Zeili’ii; Cote d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly; Chechen Prime Minister Muslim Khuchiyev; Chechen Parliament Speaker Magomed Daudov; Afghan Parliament Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi; Libyan Minister of Defense Uhida Najem; Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari; Director of the Office of the President in charge of the Defense of the Comoros, Yousuf Mohamed Ali; Minister of Defense of Sudan Awad Mohammed bin Auf; Head of Ruling Party of Mauritius Shaukat Sodhen; Egypt’s Grand Mufti Shawqi Allam and senior officials from a number of Islamic countries.

The reception started with a recitation of verses of the Holy Quran, SPA reported.
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Then, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques delivered the following speech:
“In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Gracious,

All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, Who says in the Holy Qur’an: “Whoever honors the Symbols of Allah then indeed, it is surely from the piety of the hearts.”

Peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.

My Brothers the Pilgrims,
My Muslim Brothers Everywhere,
Dear Audience,
May Allah’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you:

I welcome you and congratulate you on the blessed Eid Al-Adha. I pray Allah Almighty to accept the pilgrims’ Hajj and I praise Allah Almighty for granting the pilgrims the ability to perform this great pillar of Islam with ease, security and comfort, as they respond to Allah’s call who said in the Holy Quran: “Then when you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at al-Mash’ar al-Haram”.
Dear Brothers,

Allah honored the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with serving the Two Holy Mosques, taking care of their visitors and protecting the visitors’ safety and comfort. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has given the Two Holy Mosques all the care and attention since it was founded by late King Abdulaziz until today.
We will continue to do so, as we deeply believe that serving pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors of the Two Holy Mosques is our duty and is a great honor of which we feel proud.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia embraces the Qiblah of Muslims as well as the Prophet’s Mosque, and emanating from its Islamic position and its regional and international role, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms its firm stance to fight terrorism and extremism, eradicate their forms and manifestations, adhere to the noble message of Islam and ensure security and stability in the region and the whole world.

I ask Allah Almighty to accept the pilgrims’ Hajj. Many happy returns. May Allah’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.” (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)