JEDDAH, 15 January 2006 — The annual pilgrimage, which brings together more than 2.5 million Muslims from different parts of the world, reminds the Islamic Ummah that its unity is possible despite differences, Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani has said.
Speaking at a reception given to media persons who came to cover this year’s Haj, Madani stressed the role of Haj in strengthening the faith of Muslims and encouraging them to push their way to a bright future.
“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has said that after every Haj season he felt that this large crowd of pilgrims who come from the different corners of the world gave him greater hope about the unity of the Ummah,” the minister said.
“The pilgrims, with their strong faith in God and spirit of tolerance, present a good example to the leaders of the Islamic world and tell them that their unity is very near,” Madani said quoting a speech made by the king during the last Haj season.
King Abdullah had also said that Haj had given him new hopes whenever he felt pains thinking about the present situation of the Ummah. Haj promotes unity, solidarity, cohesion and equality among Muslims.
The minister also quoted from the king’s recent speech to the Islamic summit in which he emphasized the Islamic values of tolerance and justice and decried how Muslims, who were once the torchbearers of knowledge and a strong power disintegrated into weak entities.
Madani said he was looking forward to a united Muslim Ummah who can overcome injustice and oppression and work for its overall development.
“Islam is a religion of moderateness that rejects extremism and violence,” he said and called for promoting the values of understanding, tolerance and dialogue.
He said the meeting of Islamic scholars and Muslim intellectuals in Makkah prior to the Islamic summit, which was held on Dec. 7-8, 2005, reflected the feelings of the Ummah, adding that they were aware of the challenges facing Muslims at political, economic and cultural levels.
Madani urged the media persons to shoulder their responsibility in promoting the values of tolerance, moderateness and dialogue.
“We have to play an important role in promoting these values through media and cultural forums,” he added.
