King urges UN resolution to stop insulting prophets
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah
ARAB NEWS
Sunday 28 October 2012
Last Update 29 October 2012 12:03 pm
MINA: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday urged
the United Nations to adopt a resolution condemning those states and
groups that abuse divine religions and Prophets (peace be upon them).
Addressing a reception given to prominent personalities and heads of
foreign Haj missions at Mina Palace, he urged Muslims to strengthen
their unity. “Haj is a symbol of Islamic unity and solidarity,” he
said.
“From the vicinity of Grand Mosque in Makkah, I demand a UN resolution
that condemns any country or group that insults religions and
prophets,” he said. “It is our duty and that of every Muslim to
protect Islam and defend the Prophets.”
The king’s statement comes after a low-budget film produced in the US,
“Innocence of Muslims,” triggered a wave of deadly anti-American
violence last month across the Muslim world targeting US symbols
ranging from embassies and schools to fast-food chains.
He highlighted the importance of a center for dialogue between Muslim
sects (madahib), which he proposed during the emergency Islamic summit
in Makkah last Ramadan.
“This center (in Riyadh) is not necessarily for reaching an agreement
on matters related to the Islamic faith but for finding solutions for
the division and achieve coexistence among the various sects without
any intrigues,” he said.
King Abdullah stressed that such a center initiating dialogue between
Muslim sects would benefit the Ummah, strengthening its unity.
The annual royal reception was attended by Malaysian King Sultan
Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, President Professor Alpha Conde of Guinea;
Indonesian Vice President Dr. Bodiono; Iraq’s Vice President Tareq
Al-Hashemi, Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and Djibouti
Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita.
Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, Makkah
Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Interior Minister Prince Ahmed, chairman
of Supreme Haj Committee, Professor Ekemeleddin Ihsanoglu,
secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Dr.
Abdullatif Al-Zayani, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation
Council attended the ceremony.
In his keynote speech, King Abdullah highlighted the significance of
Haj as a manifestation of Islamic unity as Muslim pilgrims from all
over the world assemble in the holy sites, unifying their ranks and
getting rid of their divisions.
The Saudi leader said the importance of dialogue between Muslims in
order to strengthen moderation and end reasons of conflict and
extremism. He called upon Muslim scholars and organizations to work
for unity, without losing hope in God.
Later in a detailed message to the Islamic Ummah on the occasion of
Haj, King Abdullah said Saudi Arabia would continue its efforts in the
service of pilgrims to help them perform their religious rituals with
ease.
He quoted a Hadith from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that “He who
performs Haj, without committing obscenity, nor wickedness, will
return home free of sins such as on the day he was born.”
King Abdullah congratulated Muslims all over the world on Eid Al-Adha.
“From the holy sites of Mina and Arafat … I congratulate you and all
of the Islamic nation, praying to Allah to accept Haj from all who
came to this sacred House, and forgive all their sins, and to return
them safely to their homelands, after Allah Almighty has honored them
with the performance of the fifth pillar of Islam and the honor of
standing in these sacred places, holding firmly to the guidance of the
Holy Qur’an and Prophet’s Sunnah.”
The message continued: “Contemplating on the Haj and the pilgrims’
movement, makes me think deeply about the purpose of this rite and its
meaning. On this blessed land where pilgrims repeats Talbiya and the
praises of God, the meaning of monotheism is clearly manifested, as if
Allah kept this sacred land to let the faithful renew their pledge
toward Him, century after century, generation after generation, and
year after year. Whenever the humanity deviates from the guidance of
its Lord, we find in these sacred places, what makes humanity return
to the right path.
“That makes the pilgrim forget everything in the mundane life, and
respond to the Great Qur’anic call: “And proclaim to mankind the Haj.
They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come
from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Haj).”
(22:27) Soon the pilgrims responded to the call and arrived saying
Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik.
“When pilgrims come to this holy land and circumambulate the Kaaba,
make Saei between Safa and Marwa in the Holy House, ascend to Mina,
stand on Arafat, and then move from Arafat to Muzdalifa and Mina, in a
unique view of faith, leaving behind them their families, wealth,
homes and their accustomed types of life, they pledge to Allah
Almighty- the unity of faith, repeating the word of the unity of the
creator: “Say: truly my prayer, And my service of sacrifice, My life
and my death, Are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the worlds’. No
partner hath He: This am I commanded, And I am the first of those who
submit to his will.” (6:162-163)
King Abdullah said: “Dear brothers and sisters, during Haj, the
values of brotherhood and tolerance and the rejection of rancor appear
clearly, since Allah wished the Muslim to lead a life which is an
example of purity, and Haj reflects the above mentioned values, in
submission to Allah’s Almighty saying in His Holy Qur’an:
“For Haj are the months well known. If any one undertakes that duty
therein, Let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in
the Haj (2:197). Then come forgiveness and tolerance.
“All the atmosphere surrounding the pilgrims makes them feel that the
mission of the true Muslim is to spread security and peace, not only
with the human being, but also with birds, trees and stones. This
ultimate aim to which a Muslim yearns, is to contribute to the reform
of the earth and populate it.
On this blessed site, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) whom Allah
sent as a mercy to mankind stood preaching pilgrims, explaining to
them the sanctity of souls and property, and laid down the highest
sense of brotherhood, saying:
“Oh people: Your blood and wealth are sacred to you such as the
sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this country
of yours. I have informed you and my lord stands as witness.”
King Abdullah continued: “Dear brothers and sisters, Haj has many
lessons to consider, and many aims. And that provides a chance for the
pilgrims who came from remote areas to devote themselves to Allah in
order for them to return back home free of sins such as on the day
they were born, and have been given a new chance to reform themselves
and be useful members of their societies.
During Haj pilgrims show feelings of love and brotherhood. There is
no difference between one language and another, nor between one race
and another. The rich help the poor, and the strong help the weak. All
hearts are united on one call to Allah, and the unity of the nation is
achieved, so that the sublime social purpose, which Islam sought will
be fulfilled:
“O mankind! We created You from a single (pair), Of a male and a
female, And made you into Nations and tribes that Ye may know each
other, Not that ye may despise, (Each other). Verily, The most honored
of you, In the sight of Allah, Is (he who is) the most, Righteous of
you, And Allah has full knowledge, And is well acquainted, (with all
things) (49:13).
King Abdullah emphasized the importance of Islamic solidarity. “We
are in dire need of true solidarity which maintains the unity of the
nation, protects it from fragmentation, division, and prohibits the
bloodletting which Allah has made sacred.
“Indeed this is the message of Haj which calls for unity of ranks and
the rejection of fragmentation. We beseech Allah Almighty to help
leaders of Muslim states for the good of our homeland and societies.
We also call on Muslim leaders to fear Allah while dealing with their
peoples and countries. We are responsible before Allah for our peoples
and nation,” the king said.
“As renaissance and progress are achieved through prosperity and
security, we Muslims, nowadays, are in dire need of dialogue with the
others and ourselves, in order to put an end to dissent, ignorance,
extremism and injustice which threaten the aspirations of Muslims.
Out of this vision, Saudi Arabia is still calling for dialogue
between religions and cultures. It is following this path for the good
of the Islamic nation and humanity as a whole.
The Kingdom, which Allah has honored to serve the two holy mosques,
pilgrims and visitors, feels the great responsibility bestowed upon
its shoulders and exerts every effort to achieve this mission to
enable pilgrims to perform Haj in ease and comfort.
“Dear brothers and sisters, We pray to Allah Almighty to accept your
righteous deeds, Haj, forgive your sins and to return you safely to
your homelands. Once again, I renew congratulations to you on the
blessed Eid Al-Adha and pray to Allah that it would bring greater
progress, prosperity, security and stability to the Islamic nation.”
Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar spoke about the gigantic projects being
implemented by the Saudi government to improve services to the
millions of pilgrims who come for Haj and Umrah, including the massive
expansions of the two holy mosques.
Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Abdullah Al-Turki commended
the king for launching the largest expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque,
adding that it would increase the mosque’s capacity to three million
worshippers. Yemeni Minister of Endowments and Guidance Hamoud
Muhammad Abbad, who spoke on behalf of the delegates, thanked Saudi
Arabia for its services to pilgrims.
No comments:
Post a Comment