MECCA, Aug 8 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The Haj is an act of peace and hence Muslims performing this rite should stay away from any behaviour that would politicise the pilgrimage, said the President of General Presidency of Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al Sudais.
He made this call during a recent meeting here with a media delegation comprising prominent senior journalists from Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries who were here on the invitation of Saudi Media Minister.
“You should perform your Haj rites in peace, ease and comfort away from political slogans and behaviours that are against the noble values of Islam.
“Islam is against all forms of extremism, terrorism and destruction,” he said.
Sudais called on the guests of Allah to spend their time in getting to know each other and cooperate for the good and welfare of all, reminding them that the Haj was not a platform for politics or sectarianism but for unity among Muslims.
He said Saudi Arabia was promoting moderation and peaceful co-existence as Islam rejected all forms of terrorism, and that the media in Muslim countries had to play an important role in this regard.
“Saudi Arabia is projecting Islamic moderation and peaceful coexistence and rejects all forms of terrorism. We all have to work hard to defend Islam by all means and not let those terrorists hijack Islam,” he said.
He said journalists in the Muslim countries also had the responsibility of defending the real Islam, which totally rejects terrorism and advocates peace and tolerance.
Saudi Arabia will also continue to play its role of serving the pilgrims, he said.
“The government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques will always keep on serving the pilgrimage and Umrah performers, since we consider it as our duty to serve the guests of Allah seeking rewards only from Allah.”
Saudi Arabia has the sovereign right to administer the Two Holy Mosques and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, always provided clear directions on serving the pilgrims round the clock, he added.
–NNN-BERNAMA