MAKKAH, 20 December 2007 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan yesterday emphasized the significance of Haj, saying the annual event reflects the unity of the Islamic nation and helps cleanse the faithful of sin.
“Haj is the greatest jihad, when a person shows his servitude to God, reflects on himself and his mistakes and stones the devil in him,” the king and the crown prince said in a joint message on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, which was celebrated throughout the Kingdom yesterday.
The message, which was read on Saudi Television by Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani, said the religion of Islam came to announce a new birth for humanity. It also explained the significance of the five pillars of Islam.
“The pronouncement of Shahadah declares the liberation of humanity from the clutches of servitude to forces other than God, Salah or prayer was ordained to remind a person that he is always a slave of God and he has to kneel and prostrate before Him,” it explained.
Referring to Saum or fasting in the month of Ramadan, the message said it reminded the faithful of the need to control himself and his desires in order to achieve success in this life. Zakah or mandatory payment of a portion of one’s wealth highlighted a Muslim’s social responsibility.
King Abdullah and Prince Sultan reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to provide the best possible services to the guests of God who come for Haj and Umrah.
