MAKKAH: Millions of Muslims all over the Kingdom yesterday celebrated Eid Al-Fitr by attending prayers at mosques and open grounds and organizing various cultural programs. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, attended Eid prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah along with more than two million worshippers. Sheikh Saleh Bin Humaid, who led the prayer at the Grand Mosque, emphasized the role of Eid in strengthening relations between Muslims. “It promotes love between people, which is the spirit of life,” the imam said.
Bin Humaid said: “There is no religion like Islam that encourages its followers to love and support one another. The word love has been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an more than 80 times.”
He said the Islamic faith teaches Muslims to love their parents, wives and children, friends and the entire humanity as well as the nation. He stressed the need to love Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who has set a good example for Muslims in all walks of life. “The lack of love is something frightening as it would transform a man into an animal,” he pointed out. At the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, more than a million worshippers attended Eid prayers led by Sheikh Hussein Al-Asheikh. In his Eid sermon, Al-Asheikh said Eid Al-Fitr is a happy occasion for Muslims to celebrate after God gave them an opportunity to fast during the holy month of Ramadan. He emphasized the importance of visiting relatives and friends during Eid, saying it would help them win the pleasure of God and His forgiveness.
In the capital Riyadh, Eid prayers were held at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque where a number of princes and ministers joined prayers with thousands of citizens and expatriates. Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, who led the prayer, said Eid is a good opportunity for people to strengthen their bonds and cleanse their minds from hatred and vengeance. Eastern Province Gov. Prince Muhammad bin Fahd and his deputy Prince Jelawi bin Abdul Aziz attended Eid prayers at King Fahd Mosque in Dammam along with thousands of citizens and expatriates. Sheikh Yousuf Al-Afalek, a judge at the Appeals Court, urged the faithful to show mercy toward the poor, engage in goodness toward their parents and follow the Qur’anic teachings in all walks of their lives. Meanwhile, King Abdullah, accompanied by Crown Prince Salman, visited Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, who is recuperating at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Jeddah following an operation. The king wished the prince speedy recovery.
