"We cannot trust them. We do not rule out any attempt to disturb the security of Haj," Prince Naif, who is also chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, told reporters.
"We are ready for any act that might take place. God willing, none of that will happen, out of respect for these rites."
He added that the information passed by the Kingdom to the United States about explosive parcels on board aircraft was part of the government’s general security policy of cooperating with other countries.
He called the perpetrators of the terror act as not only far removed from Islam but abusing the religion because they act under the guise of defending Islam.
“Islam does not permit the murder of innocents nor killing anybody treacherously. Thank God, we are a Muslim country with the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as our constitution,” added the prince.
“But paradoxically, this country is the target of those who claim to be Muslims. If they were genuine Muslims, they would have worked with the Kingdom, not against it. Thank Allah, He helped our security men to foil all the terror attempts.”
In reply to a question on Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s proposal to establish a global center to combat terror, the prince said the topic has been submitted to the United Nations.
“Under the orders of King Abdullah, all resources of the Kingdom have been offered to improve the service of pilgrims so that their health is maintained and so they can perform Haj with all ease and comfort, which is the goal of all departments serving the pilgrims,” the prince said.
Prince Naif also congratulated the pilgrims for their safe arrival at the holy sites.
He expressed full confidence that the pilgrims would respect the inviolability of the great symbols of Islam, including the sites of Haj and the occasion itself.
The prince also urged pilgrims to cooperate with all government and private agencies serving them and striving to ensure their safety and comfort.
On a question about the chance of any stampedes on the Jamrat Bridge, the prince said the bridge has been designed to minimize crowds.
Speaking about the number of pilgrims, the prince said the increase in their number this year is about 20 percent and the Kingdom is striving to provide more residential units, transportation and other required utilities to cope with this.
The minister warned Haj establishments against any failure in the service of pilgrims.
Earlier, Prince Naif inspected security units participating in Haj. The minister also reviewed the preparations of the Health Ministry, Red Crescent and King Fahd Security College. Dignitaries accompanying Prince Naif included Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is also chairman of the Central Haj Committee, and Chief of General Intelligence Prince Muqrin.
On the security situation in Yemen, the prince said: “We are concerned about the security in Yemen just as we are concerned about security in the Kingdom.” Expressing his confidence in Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, he said cooperation between the security forces of both countries is at its highest level.He also hoped that the Yemeni authorities would succeed in eradicating Al-Qaeda in the country. “What hits Yemen also hits the Kingdom and what hits the Kingdom hits Yemen,” he said.
