Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH – In an air of festivity and religious fervor, Muslims all over the Kingdom celebrated on Friday the Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. In their Eid and Friday sermons, imams at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah urged the faithful to uphold the true spirit of spirituality and piety that they attained through fasting and prayers in the holy month throughout the remainder of their life.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman joined over a million worshipers who performed Eid Al-Fitr prayer at the Grand Mosque. The prayer was led by Sheikh Saleh Bin Humaid, advisor at the Royal Court and imam and khateeb of the Grand Mosque. More than one million faithful gathered at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah where the Eid sermon was delivered by Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Bin Muhammad Al-Qassem. Sheikh Maher Al-Moaiqali and Sheikh Abdul Bari Al-Thubaiti offered Friday sermons at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque respectively. Millions of Muslims, including women and children, turned out to offer Eid prayers at mosques and prayer grounds across the Kingdom.

In his Eid sermon, Bin Humaid urged the faithful to fulfill their duties and obligations toward themselves as well as to their God, parents, kith and kin, neighbors, rulers, fellow beings and all others. He underscored that Eid is not only a day of joy for Muslims but also a unique opportunity to further strengthen their bonds to God through celebration of the values of humanity, enhanced family relations, compassion, love, empathy and forgiveness.

Bin Humaid emphasized the need to foster unity and solidarity among the members of the Islamic Ummah in a way ensuring security and stability for the nation and the people. “There is no security, no stability, and no development in an environment full of instability and crisis, and that the only way to salvation, safety and prosperity is through achieving unity and solidarity and maintaining honesty in dealing with problems and crises,” he said.

Those who performed Eid prayer at the Grand Mosque along with King Salman included Lebanese Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, emir of Makkah and advisor to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Military Commander of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition Gen. Raheel Sharif, several princes, Islamic scholars, sheikhs and senior civilian and military officials.

After the Eid prayer, King Salman received at Al-Safa Palace Saad Al-Hariri, Gen. Raheel Sharif and a number of princes, scholars, and senior officials who came to greet him on the Eid. Later, the King left for Jeddah after spending the last 10 days of Ramadan in the vicinity of the Holy Kaaba.

Emirs of provinces, governors and senior officials attended Eid prayers in various regions of the Kingdom. Those who performed prayer at the Prophet’s Mosque included Prince Faisal Bin Salman, emir of Madinah, and Prince Saud Bin Khaled Al-Faisal, deputy emir of Madinah.

Riyadh Emir Prince Faisal Bin Bandar was among those who attended Eid prayer at Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh where the Eid sermon was delivered by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh.

The Imams who led Eid prayer congratulated Muslims on the blessed festival, praying to Allah Almighty to accept their fasting, prayers, charity and good deeds.

Several events and festivals kick-started on Friday to mark Eid celebrations in various regions of the Kingdom. The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) is organizing as many as 400 events across 23 cities on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr. The events included fireworks, carnivals, folklore and circus performances.