MADINAH, 2 August 2005 — The pilgrims visiting Madinah on Umrah visas were shocked at the news of King Fahd’s death. Foreign pilgrims and Saudis alike gathered outside and inside the holy mosque in Madinah to talk about the news and share the sadness of his passing.
Abdullah Al-Khazraji, Saudi historian, told of his sadness. “Ever since he became king in 1982, he served the Arab and Muslim world. He was kind with people and very generous. He derived his generosity, wisdom and justice from his father King Abdul Aziz. His death came as sad news and affected the entire Islamic world. We pray to God to have mercy on his soul.”
Mahmoud Hilmi, an Egyptian pilgrim, said that the news came as a shock to him and many other pilgrims.
“I heard about the news early in the morning while I was walking in the shopping centers in the central area,” he said.
“I saw the news on one of the TV displays in a shop. I was glued in front of the TV because for a while I could not believe the news. His departure is very sad for the Islamic world because it lost a very important religious and political figure. His role in serving the Islamic world will be forever remembered.” Medhat Hassan, Egyptian pilgrim, said that the Egyptian world would never forget King Fahd.
“King Fahd always came to the aid of those in need. I will never forget when Egypt was struck with the catastrophic earthquake. King Fahd’s aid was the first to arrive. People will never forget this great ruler who always supported Muslims’ issues.”
Al-Tayeb Hassan, a Sudanese pilgrim, said he was a frequent visitor to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj and Umrah.
“I remember coming to Madinah in 1981 before the expansion and what the mosque looked like then. Now when I look at the holy mosque and see the great expansion and development made by King Fahd, I cry in sadness. The issues of the Muslim world were always his top priority,” he said. “He cared about pilgrims and always ordered Saudi authorities to look after them and make sure that they were comfortable while visiting the two holy mosques.”
Hassan Sulaiman, a Palestinian pilgrim, said that Fahd was a friend of the Palestinian people. “King Fahd was always beside the Palestinian people defending their issues. He continuously sent aid to them.”
Abdul Aziz Ahmad, a Madinah resident, said that Saudi Arabia would always remember the custodian of the two holy mosques.
“When I go to the Prophet’s Mosque, I see the good deeds of King Fahd in every stone. The developments in the two holy mosques made it easy for pilgrims to pray in comfort. We will remember his good works in the Islamic world, in Madinah and Makkah and the Holy Qur’an printing complex.”
