January 5, 2006

SPEECH TO THE SAUDI CITIZENS AND PILGRIMS ON THE OCCASION ON EID-AL-ADHA: ISLAM ENCOMPASSES A CIVILIZATION THAT COULD LEAD TO PRODUCTIVITY, CREATIVITY AND DIVERSITY AS WELL AS VITALITY AND STRENGTH. THE GREATNESS OF OUR RELIGION SHOULD SERVE AS AN INSPIRATION AND A MODEL FOR ALL MANKIND. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General has directed an address to citizens and pilgrims to Makkah as well as all Muslims on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha for the year 1427 AH. On behalf of the King and the Crown Prince, Minister of Culture and Information Iyad bin Ameen Madani read their address on Saudi Radio and Television. The following is the text of the address: "In the name of Allah -- the compassionate and the Merciful, Brothers and sisters : Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings. From this holy site, we ask Allah Almighty to ensure good deeds and success as well as bless us with bounties and rewards. We congratulate the Muslim nation on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha. We praise the Allah almighty for enabling Hundreds of thousand Muslims to perform Hajj this year, who gathered here from all corners of the world, surpassing races, color, gender and languages and reflecting brotherhood and equality - unprecedented anywhere. "Hajj, brothers and sisters, is the great occasion, which reminds us always about perfection of religion. In the plains of Arafat, this verse of the Quran was revealed to the Prophet (PBUH)- the guide to all humanity: "This Day have I Perfected your religion For you, completed My favour upon you, And have chosen for you Islam as your religion." ( Sura Maida -verse 4 ) Islam came as a completion of all divine religions, affirming divine declaration about the maturity and completeness of humanity. The completion of the divine revelation and the understanding the duty on our shoulders, dictate us to work unitedly and think seriously to mobilize our resources and determination, integrate sources of unity and harmony and overcome differences. The greatness of our religion should serve as an inspiration and a model for all mankind. Dear brothers and sisters: Every year, we wish you bounties and well-being for all of you, your country and your nation. May Allah's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you."