JEDDAH, 26 November 2003 — Millions of Muslims throughout the Kingdom celebrated Eid Al-Fitr yesterday with prayer leaders urging the faithful to shun extremism and violence and support the government’s efforts to flush out terrorists.
Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, joined thousands of citizens and expatriates in offering Eid prayers at Prince Turki ibn Abdullah Mosque in the capital.
After prayers, Prince Abdullah received prominent guests including Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who came to offer their Eid greetings.
Prince Abdullah and Hariri held talks on a range of bilateral and regional issues with a focus on the situation in the Arab world.
“Today it is crucial that we stand united and speak with one voice supporting our leadership against those who threaten our religion, security, resources and stability,” said Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh.
Addressing worshippers at Imam Turki ibn Abdullah Mosque, he said: “We must cooperate and protect our religion, our faith and the security of this country.”
His comments echoed a joint message on Monday by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah, who called on Muslims to unite against terrorism. “God intended for Muslims to be a moderate and tolerant people and avoid extremism,” the mufti said.
For the Eid prayer, which took place in the morning, hundreds of thousands of citizens and expatriates congregated in more than 20 Eid grounds and nearly 300 Jamia mosques in the capital.
The prayers in the Old Eid Ground in Riyadh were led by Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Al-Shaikh, who called upon Muslims to follow the teachings of Islam and the Sunnah.
The imam also reminded the faithful of the plight of their Muslim brethren throughout the world.
In Madinah, Sheikh Ali Abdul Rahman Al-Hudaify, imam and khateeb of the Prophet’s Mosque, led the prayers and stressed the importance of Islamic unity and solidarity.
Eid prayers were also held in different parts of Jeddah drawing record crowd of worshippers. Dr. Hassan Al-Ghazzali led prayers at the old airport and urged worshippers to compete with one another in righteous deeds.
All day, the streets of the Kingdom’s cities resounded to the bangs of firecrackers set off by children and youths, who later watched the traditional fireworks, car stunts and other recreational programs late into the night.
A final shopping bonanza also traditionally accompanies the Eid festivities, with some critics saying the occasion has become too commercialized. Commercial centers and supermarkets have announced special Eid promotions, and celebrations in Riyadh were marked this year by a variety of special offers from shopping outlets and amusement centers in the form of discounts, gifts and raffle draws.
The capital’s shopping centers reported an overnight rush of Eid purchases boosted by bargain offers and lucky draws. Supermarkets were stacked high with sweets and dry fruits.
Several city stores have been decorated with colorful buntings, banners and footlights to attract customers.
Hotels too have pitched in with special Eid offerings.
Many expatriates organized Eid functions at their homes, but later Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Filipino families visited recreation centers like Malaz Stadium, King Fahd Stadium and Qasr Al-Hukm Complex to see cultural shows and fireworks.
A large number of people also started flocking at the parks of the city since afternoon. Riyadh’s parks were especially prepared by the Riyadh Municipality for visitors during the Eid holidays.
In the Eastern Province, Governor Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd joined hundreds of thousands of Muslims in celebrating Eid.
Prince Muhammad offered Eid prayers at Dammam Central Mosque and joined the imam in praying for peace and prosperity for Muslims the world over.
After prayers, high-ranking officials, businessmen and prominent citizens offered Eid greetings to the governor. Later in the evening, the governor hosted a reception at his palace in Alkhobar for citizens, ulema and officials who had come to offer their greetings.
Elsewhere in the Eastern Province, Muslims offered Eid prayers in the small hours in Thuqba, Alkhobar, Dammam, Qatif, Jubail, Al-Hasa and Khafji amid tight security arrangements. The municipality made special arrangements at the designated mosques and special Eid prayer sites.
After prayers, imams emphasized that the message of Islam was peace and prayed for the misguided to return to the correct path. Dammam imams also prayed for the liberation of Jerusalem and a just solution to the Palestinian crisis.
In the evening people came out of their houses and thronged amusement centers, beaches and shopping malls. The Eid rush, however, was less marked than in previous years on the Dammam and Alkhobar Corniche as well as Alrashid Mall, partly because of the chilly weather.
The occasional Westerner could be glimpsed in the festive throng in shopping malls and on Half Moon Beach. Most of the shops in the region were closed to mark Eid. However, in a break with tradition, shopkeepers have decided to open their outlets from tomorrow.
