Saudi Gazette report

MINA - Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Friday affirmed the resolve to protect the Kingdom’s security, maintain its stability and safeguard its interests. He made the remarks during his speech at a reception at the Royal Court of Mina Palace.

The reception was attended by Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, several princes, scholars, sheikhs, senior officials of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), ministers, commanders of military forces taking part in this year’s Haj, and the leaders of the scouts participating in Haj who came to greet and congratulate the King on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha festival.

At the outset of the speech, the King congratulated the audience and the Haj pilgrims on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, praying to Allah to accept the good deeds and many returns of the Eid to the Islamic Ummah with goodness and blessings.

“Your continuous blessed efforts to serve the pilgrims, spending sleepless nights for their comfort, facilitating their movement, and maintaining their safety are the source of our pride and an embodiment of what Allah has honored our country with the blessing of serving the pilgrims and visitors of the Grand Mosque. We will continue to provide what pilgrims needed of security, tranquility and comfort, and this is the policy of this country from which it will not deviate,” the King said.

King Salman highlighted the great sacrifices, the honored works and heroism that the security personnel carry out to protect the Kingdom’s security and defend its sanctities and achievements, saying, “these reflect your faith, sincere patriotism and nobility.”

The King prayed Almighty Allah to bestow mercy and forgiveness for the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for their religion and homeland and a speedy recovery for the injured while on duty, while emphasizing that their heroism will not be forgotten. “We also pray to Allah to make His religion victorious, uphold His word, protect our country and Islamic countries from any harm, and perpetuate security and stability for all,” the King said while affirming that the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is an honor for the leaders of this country since the era of late King Abdulaziz until todate.

The reception was also attended by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, emir of Makkah, advisor to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and chairman of the Central Haj Committee; Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Saud Bin Naif, minister of interior and chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee; Prince Abdullah Bin Bandar, deputy emir of Makkah, Prince Mishal Bin Majed, governor of Jeddah, several other princes and high ranking civilian and military officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Gen. Saeed Al-Qahtani, assistant minister of interior for operations and supervisor of the Public Security, congratulated the King on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, noted the greatest honor bestowed on this country to serve the Guests of God and enable it to provide all means of comfort to the pilgrims. He said that the Ministry of Interior has strictly followed the instructions of the King to provide the best possible services for pilgrims, ensure their security and safety, and facilitate their performance of rituals in ease and comfort in accordance with a comprehensive working plan designed and implemented by the personnel of the Haj Security Forces and their colleagues in all military sectors as well as government and private bodies.

Al-Qahtani wished the Monarch and the Crown Prince long life and continuous happiness and health, and for the Kingdom steady progress, stability and prosperity.