Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah joined Eid prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah where more than two million people attended the prayer. Former Lebanese Premier Saad Hariri and Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif also joined the worshippers in the Grand Mosque.
Sheikh Saleh Bin-Humaid, imam and khateeb of the mosque who led the prayer, called upon the faithful all over the world to fully enjoy the Eid but without exceeding the limits set by the Shariah.
Delivering his Eid sermon, Bin-Humaid said, “I would say that we have to celebrate Eid pinning our hope in the blessings of God that He would improve the condition of Muslims everywhere.”
The imam also hinted at the downfall of tyrants who had thought that nobody would touch them and that their fortresses would protect them forever. “The wind of change is blowing throughout the Arab world.”
He urged Muslims to confront challenges with greater confidence and determination. “The globe is not limited to what you see by your naked eyes…raise you head and the victory will come with perseverance…there will be a way out after every difficult situation and certainly ease will be there after difficulty.”
Bin Humaid said Islam prohibited Muslims from becoming pessimists. “The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) loved optimism because it creates happiness in the minds of people and encourage them to work hard and opens the doors of hope. An optimist can transform a desert into a garden… a narrow house into a palace. He may fall but will get up to become victorious.”
The imam urged Muslims to change themselves if they want to change the world. “We should not waste our time regretting the losses of the past…We have to look into the future…There is a saying that tears would not bring the dead back to life…We can attain the pinnacle of optimism by establishing a strong relationship with God the Almighty.”
Nearly 1.5 million faithful attended Eid prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Sheikh Hussein Al-Asheikh, imam and khateeb of the mosque who led the prayer, urged Muslims to make use of Eid as an opportunity for expressing compassion, forgiving the mistakes of others and improving mutual relations. “The most effective remedy for the present pathetic situation of Muslims is their return to Islam,” he added.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, the grand mufti, urged Muslims to protect the rights of workers. “We should also protect the rights of non-Muslims and should not do any injustice toward them and give their rights fully,” he said.
Speaking to the faithful at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh after leading the Eid prayer, he urged Saudis to play a constructive role in national development. “A good citizen is the one who works for the development and progress of his country and not the one who destroys it or undermine its security and the security of its people.”
Sheikh Abdul Aziz urged Muslims to protect the rights of parents, husbands and wives and neighbors. “
We have to strengthen our family relations that have great benefits. We should also protect the rights of workers and house servants,” the imam said.
Sheikh Muhammad Suleiman Al-Masoud, a judge at the general court, led the prayer at the large Eid prayer ground in Jeddah. Al-Masoud emphasized the important role played by fasting in Ramadan in generating the values of compassion, tolerance and perseverance in the minds of Muslims.
Muhammad Abalkhail, who led prayers in the Northern Border Province, called for supporting the poor and needy. He underscored the strong bond between the Saudi people and their leaders.
Sheikh Ali Al-Aamiry, chief justice at the criminal court in Jazan, led prayers at Eid ground in the city. He advised Muslims to cooperate with one another, setting aside their differences.
Sheikh Yousuf Al-Afalik, a judge at the Court of Appeal in Dammam, urged Muslims to show sympathy toward the poor and needy and take care of their parents. Sheikh Abdul Haleem Al-Abdullatif, who led the main Eid prayer in Buraidah, urged Muslims to continue their righteous deeds after Ramadan. “We should strengthen our unity, which is one of the main teachings of Islam,” he told the faithful.
In Tabuk, Sheikh Saud Al-Yousuf, chief justice in Tabuk court, led the prayer. He said Eid is a better opportunity for Muslims to improve their mutual relations.
Sheikh Salah Al-Oraifi led Eid prayers in Hail. “Eid is a day of success for Muslims,” he said and urged the faithful to compete with another in doing righteous deeds.
Abdullah Humaid led the prayer in Abha. “Eid brings happiness to Muslims all over the world as they meet one another, forgive mistakes and exchange greetings and support the poor and needy. It’s a great occasion as its strengthens relations among the Muslims.”
In Najran, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Rajeei led the prayer, while Sheikh Abdullah Al-Garni led the prayer in Baha.
