Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Crown Prince in address to Muslim nation on Eid Al-Adha:

Hajj rituals are linked to honor the time and place

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General greeted the citizens, pilgrims and all Muslims on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha.

On behalf of the King and the Crown Prince, the Minister of Higher Education and Acting Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Anqari, read out their joint address through the media organs on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha. The following is the full text of the joint address of the King and the Crown Prince:

"In the name of Allah, Most gracious, Most merciful Praise is to Allah, prayer and peace is upon the last of the prophets and messengers.

Dear brothers and sisters.

Allah's peace, mercy and blessings are upon you:

"From this sacred land - the blessed Mina, the mount of Arafat and the vicinity of the Holy Mosque, where pilgrims responded, stood and circumambulated around the "Kaaba", and from this great vast plains, We congratulate the pilgrims for performing the Hajj and their rituals. We pray to Allah Almighty to accept their Hajj and make it a blessed one.

Dear brothers and sisters:

"Hajj rituals are linked to honor the time and place where the pilgrims - in various colors, races and languages - feel the spirit of this great nation, worshiping one God, at a time when one message binds them with bonds of love, unity and compassion.

By performing Hajj rituals, they (the pilgrims) fill the world, in fact, the entire world with mercy, tolerance, compassion and peace, promoting the values of truth, goodness and integrity while getting rid of all their resentments and animosities. Consequently, they will return to their home-countries enriched with this kind of spiritual lights which push the human values to their peaks".

Dear brothers and sisters:

The pilgrimage to the Holy Mosque of Makkah is a great occasion for which every Muslim prepares with his full heart, mind and soul. As such, you ought to utilize these blessed moments in order to return as if you were just born, pure from sins and misdeeds, and to return to your families enriched with some of the rewards of Hajj, well-guided and ready to guide.

We congratulate those who won Allah's forgiveness, by Allah willing.

Dear brothers and sisters:

We congratulate you for performing Hajj and its rituals and we complement you and your brothers throughout the world on the occasion of Eid-Al-Adha, wishing to the pilgrims a happy stay in this blessed plains and safe return to their home countries.

Every year, we wish you and the entire mankind safety and peace, "said the King and the Crown Prince in their joint address.