The crown prince urged the Muslim leaders and people to choose a path of unity and peace to end the crises in the Muslim world.

The crown prince said: “The rapidly growing challenges demand from all of us to comprehend the future risks. We should realize that schism and discord and the resulting split in the Muslim world would bring nothing but fragmentation, chaos and weakness.”

The prince warned that the enemies of Muslims have been waiting for disunity among Muslims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“Since the time of the Kingdom’s founder King Abdul Aziz till now, the service to Haj pilgrims has been of highest concern to the Kingdom,” the crown prince said.

The services have been continuously improved using the Kingdom’s manpower and material potentials, the crown prince said.

Despite the challenges posed by growing number of pilgrims and space limitations, the Haj organizing and services in the health and security sectors have reached very high levels, the crown prince said.

Speaking on the occasion Haj Minister Fouad Al-Farsy said the Kingdom has been following a balanced and rational policy with the aim of achieving progress and prosperity for the country and other countries.

“The Kingdom believes that cooperation and concerted efforts are essential to achieve world security and stability, which will, in turn, lead to the progress of all,” Al-Farsy said.

The minister also thanked Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, chairman of the Central Haj Committee, for the successful conduct of the Haj and related matters. He also thanked Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed for his efforts to make this year’s Haj a success.

In his address Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) Abdullah Al-Turki stressed the need for harmony, protection of women's rights, adherence to the principles of the Holy Qur’an and spreading the message of Islam.

Regarding the unrest in some Muslim countries Al-Turki said the MWL was following the developments in the troubled Muslim countries with deep concern. He said the league was keen to maintain the unity of the Muslim countries and wanted to avoid instability and schism.

He said the MWL firmly believed that leaders and scholars in the Muslim Ummah have the responsibility to find solutions to the oppression of the people.

The foreign dignitaries attending the function included Vice President of Sudan Ali Taha, Iraqi Vice President Khodair Khozaei, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, former Algerian President Abdul-Aziz Balkhadim, Speaker of Somalia’s Parliament Sharif Hassan Adam and Somalian Prime Minister Abdul Wali Muhammad Ali. The guests also included the secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, and Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Abdullatif Al-Zayani.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmad, Municipal and Rural Affairs Minister Prince Mansour bin Miteb, and President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities Prince Sultan bin Salman also attended the event.