King Salman holds annual reception for senior officials performing Hajj

Saudi Arabia's King Salman hosted an annual reception for heads of states and dignitaries performing Hajj this year.

King Salman held his annual reception on Monday for heads of state, Islamic dignitaries, guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, government bodies, and heads of delegations and pilgrim affairs offices who performed Hajj this year.

At the Royal Court of Mina Palace in Makkah, the guests were led by Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi; Djibouti’s Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed; Guinea’s Prime Minister Dr. Ibrahim Kasuri Fofana; former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi, head of the ruling party of Mauritius, Shaukat Sudhan, who is also in charge of Hajj affairs; President of the Malaysian People’s Justice Party Anwar Ibrahim; Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Wan Azizah bint Wan Ismail, who is also minister of women, family and community development; and speakers of houses of representatives from a number of Islamic countries.

In his speech, King Salman said: “In Hajj, the fundamental call of Islam is reflected in the unity of the nation, as in this great gathering in these holy sites at one time and in one place, responding to the call of Allah for Hajj to the ancient house of Allah, leaving behind the adornment of the worldly life.

“Allah has honored Saudi Arabia to serve the Two Holy Mosques and the guests of Allah, a service we are proud of; we have made their care and safety the top of our concerns and harnessed everything that helps them to perform their Hajj by integrated projects aiming to facilitate the performance of Hajj and the safety of visitors to the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, complementing the great efforts exerted by the kings of this country since the era of its founder, the late King Abdul Aziz.”

Later, King Salman arrived in Jeddah having been reassured of the comfort of pilgrims and their Hajj journey in Makkah and the sacred places on the outskirts of the holy capital, and of the quality of the services and facilities that enabled them to perform their rituals in ease and safety.

Upon departure from the Royal Court, the king was seen off by Makkah Governor Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Interior Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif, and a number of senior officials.