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January 28, 2005 |
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THE KINGDOM HAS CLEAR RELATIONS WITH ALL PEACE LOVING COUNTRIES BASED ON MUTUAL RESPECT AND PRODUCTIVE PARTICIPATION IN HUMANITARIAN ISSUES. THE KINGDOM'S STAND VIS-À-VIS THE PALESTINIAN ISSUE IS WELL-KNOWN AND INALIENABLE. THE KINGDOM IS KEEN ON THE RESTORATION OF THE USURPED LANDS, AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESOLUTIONS IN THIS RESPECT. THE KINGDOM IS COMMITTED TO THE TEACHINGS OF ISLAM IN ITS INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS AND AGREEMENTS ESPECIALLY THOSE PERTAINING TO THE NON-PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS-DESTRUCTION AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS. TERRORISM IS A RESULT OF A SICK MENTALITY AND OF A DEVIANT METHODOLOGY. THE KINGDOM STRIVES TO ROOT OUT TERRORISM AND DEBUNK ITS PRINCIPLES AS WELL AS EXPOSE ITS WRONG THOUGHTS. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, have addressed the pilgrims of this year's Hajj season (1425H). In a joint speech the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah, urged Muslims to shun terrorism which they said meant "warring against God and His Prophet", to follow Islam's teachings of moderation and forgiveness and to unite. "Terrorism is a result of a sick mentality and of a deviant methodology," King Fahd and Prince Abdullah said in the speech addressed to the pilgrims on the occasion of this year's Haj season. "Terrorism is corruption on earth and aims at destruction and fighting God, His Prophet and Muslims ... and God promised the harshest punishment for corruptors," they said. "The Kingdom combats terrorism in all its forms. It fights terrorism locally and condemns it internationally. The Kingdom strives to root out terrorism and debunk its principles as well as expose its wrong thoughts. The Kingdom will abide by the religion and implement its rules. Our stand is based on the rules and principles of the Shariah. This is a firm stand that does not change with circumstances. Abiding by the Shariah is a clear attribute of the Kingdom's policy." they emphasized. They said the Kingdom took the initiative to urge the international community to combat terrorism and it supported all the peace-loving countries in their endeavour to uproot terrorism. Combating terrorism requires international cooperation against the sheltering of terrorist elements and groups and to prevent them from exploiting the territories of countries they are living in as a staging point for their sabotage activities whatever the motives and pretexts, they added. On the basis of its pioneering role in combating terrorism, the Kingdom has organized an international conference on combating terrorism. The 4-day conference will begin in Riyadh on Feb. 5, they pointed out. The leaders wished the pilgrims a successful and accepted Haj. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard said the Kingdom is proud and honored to care for the Two Holy Mosques. It considers serving the pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors to the Prophet's Mosque as a religious duty. They stressed the importance of uprightness in following the right path and adhering to it in word and deed. Among the requirements of uprightness is good conduct in all conditions and with all the people. A Muslim must be kind to others in word and deed and in good times and in adversity. As regards relations between the Kingdom and other countries of the world, the Kingdom has clear relations with all peace loving countries based on mutual respect and productive participation in humanitarian issues as well as concern for development affairs and their problems. The Kingdom takes the initiative to help countries facing natural disasters. An example is the earthquake and the resulting tidal waves that occurred in South Asia on Dec. 26. The Kingdom was one of the first to provide relief aid to the victims. The Kingdom's stand emanates from the belief that "we all are living on one planet and achieving world peace and maintaining it is a collective requirement needing cooperation from all," they said. Following is the speech: Dear Pilgrims Almighty Allah 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, to Umrah (minor Hajj) performers, and to visitors of the Prophet's Mosque. We thank Almighty Allah, who has made it possible for us to serve the pilgrims and to enable them perform their rituals in comfort and ease. In addition to the fact that Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, it provides a good opportunity for the Muslim to think attentively about the magnitude of the teachings of Islam. Islam is the religion of mercy, stability, prosperity, and moderation. Muslims should adhere steadfastly to the directives of Islam, which advocates 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 strictly adhere to the teachings of Islam, for they will never attain power and glory without adhering to the teachings of Islam. 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 Abdul Aziz, was established on the basis of Islam; it is therefore our duty to follow the teachings of the Holy Quran, Sunnah (the Prophet's teaching) and the venerable forefathers. In line with the teachings of Islam, we do believe in the importance of Shoura (consultation), justice and the implementation of the Islamic Shariah. As regards the Kingdom's foreign policy, the Kingdom is keen to play a positive role with others and to lend constructive efforts; it has always been an effective member at bilateral, regional, Arab, Islamic and international arenas. As part of the Muslim world, the Kingdom shares with Muslims their happy and hard days, and it has unwaveringly been serving the causes of all Muslims. The Kingdom participates in the conferences of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) whether at the summit or ministerial levels, and at the same time it is a member of all OIC's organs, and has always been keen on honoring its commitments and following through its resolutions. The Kingdom extends unlimited support to the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and supports its development projects throughout the Muslim world. Dear Brothers, The Kingdom's stand vis-à-vis the Palestinian issue is well-known and inalienable. The Kingdom is keen on the restoration of the usurped lands, and the implementation of the international resolutions in this respect. The Kingdom is keen on 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 as its capital. As regards the Iraqi problem, the Kingdom is keen on ending the tragic situation of the Iraqi people, and on enabling Iraq to play its positive role at the 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. As regards the Kingdom's relations with other countries of the world, these are based on peace, love, and the principles of mutual respect. The Kingdom has unwaveringly been extending relief assistance to victims of disasters and earthquakes as it has done with victims of the earthquake and tsunami, which hit South Asia on Dec 26, 2004. The Kingdom believes in coexistence as well as in respecting the particularities of each country and its sovereignty. The Kingdom is committed to the teachings of Islam in its international obligations and agreements, be these bilateral or multi-party agreements, especially those that pertain to the development of the world, preservation of the environment, disarmament of weapons of mass-destruction and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Brethren Muslims, The world has witnessed terror acts, which aim at undermining the pillars of stability and security as well as frightening the innocent people. Unfortunately these terror acts have been perpetrated by people who claim they belong to Islam and Muslims. We would like to make it clear that these terror acts run counter to the teachings of Islam, and have been carried out by individuals who believe in deviant ideas. As terrorism leads to corruption on earth and to destruction, the Kingdom has been confronting terrorism in its various forms, and has been working to uproot it. The Kingdom has been refuting the deviant ideas believed by terrorists, and has been clarifying the stand of Islam vis-à-vis terrorism. The Kingdom has called on all peace-loving countries to work together to combat the phenomenon of terrorism through a comprehensive plan based on the international legitimacy. It is an essential matter to cooperate in combating terrorism. The countries of the world should never provide shelter to terrorists, nor should they ever enable them to practice their subversive acts from their territories. In line with this policy, the Kingdom has called for convening an international conference on combating terrorism in Riyadh on Feb 5, 2005. We would like to congratulate Muslims throughout the word on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha. We pray to Almighty Allah to close the ranks of Muslims, and to enable them to embark on the proper path. We congratulate the pilgrims, and pray that their Hajj will be accepted, and their return home will be safe. On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, held the annual reception party for Islamic dignitaries and heads of Hajj missions who are currently performing this year's Hajj (1425H.) Among the prominent dignitaries who attended the reception were King Tuanko Sayyed Sirajuddin of Malaysia, the President of the Sudan Omer Hasan Albasheir, the President of Bangladesh Dr. Ayaduddin Ahmed and Senegal's Prime Minister Maki Sal. The party was also attended by Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Mit'eb Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Nawaf Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, who is also Chairman of Hajj Higher Committee; Prince Fawaz Ibn Abdul Aziz; Prince Ahmed Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Interior Minister; Prince Abdul Majeed Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Makkah Region, who is also Chairman of Hajj Central Committee; other princes, Ulema, ministers, senior civil and military officials and ambassadors of Arab and Islamic countries accredited to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Addressing the gathering, Iyad Ibn Ameen Madani, the Minister of Hajj, declared this year's Hajj a complete success, thanks to Almighty Allah and the efforts of all concerned authorities in charge of Hajj in the Kingdom as well as the cooperation extended by Hajj concerned authorities in Islamic countries or countries from where pilgrims have come. He highlighted the efforts also extended by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to make the tough trip a comfort and tranquility. He declared that the number of pilgrims reached its highest in history this year, noting that they came from 160 countries and entered the Kingdom through 20 air, land and sea inlets. Also addressing the gathering were the Secretary General of the Makkah-based Muslim World League Dr. Abdullah Ibn Abdul Mohsin Al Turki and the representative of the guests: Mohammed E'jazulhaq, Pakistan's Minister of Religious Affairs and Zakat, who is also his country's Hajj mission leader. In his speech before the gathering, Crown Prince Abdullah said: "IN THE NAME OF ALLAH MOST GRACIOUS MOST MERCIFUL Peace and Blessings be upon the Prophet Mohammed, his family and Companions. Brothers and sisters, pilgrims of the Holy Mosque. Peace and blessings be upon you. I congratulate you on the occasion of completing the rituals of Hajj with ease and comfort, thanks to Allah Almighty who granted you the ability to stand at these holy places, by which you have stressed the eternal message of Islam and its call for tolerance, peace and solidarity, and have enhanced your feeling of being the best Ummah that has been meant to guide all peoples. My brothers the guests of Allah Every year, I have been contemplating these great crowds which come from all parts of the world, and I come out with the fact that hope hinges still on our Ummah to unify its commitment to remedy its disunity and disorder. This union is visible in what we see during Hajj where pilgrims, through their gathering based on faith and tolerance, set an example to Muslim leaders that the unity of the Ummah is close by, embodied in the message of Hajj where hopes and ends unite, and where bridges of dialogue with the self and other Muslims and the world at large are extending. My brothers the guests of God, Your gathering calls on me to address, through you, other Muslim leaders, calling them to overcome, with the aid of our faith in Allah almighty and then in our Ummah, this state of disunity and continue our historic mission. Whenever, dear brothers, I felt the pain over the status of our Ummah, Hajj restores to me the hope that the soil of this Ummah bears anew the seeds of renaissance and unity. From the highland of sacred Mina, it is my pleasure to call on my brothers, the Muslim leaders, to hold a meeting to discuss the issues of joint work and unity. I hereby entreat that Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawy, whose country heads the current rotatory session of Islamic conference Organization, and call on its Secretary General Dr. Akmal Al-Dein Ihsan Oglo to take a practical step to arrange for such a meeting. And I hope that prior to the meeting, Ummah's thinkers and Ulema would hold meetings to exchange views on the current status and draw their views on the prospects of the future of the Muslim nation. This will definitely help the leaders of the nation during the summit meeting, which I propose to be held here in this sacred place. It is an invitation to confront the self and to look for the common amongst us, to close ranks and enhance unity; an invitation sent by a brother of yours whose concerns are your concerns and whose grief is also your grief, and who shares with you your hopes and faith in Almighty Allah. I pray to almighty Allah that He may accept from pilgrims their hajj, forgo their sins, and grant them a safe passage home to their beloved ones and countries. Peace and blessings be upon you". |
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