Saudi Gazette report

NEOM — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman delivered a speech on Tuesday greeting, citizens, residents, pilgrims and all Muslims in the world on Eid Al-Adha.

In the speech, King Salman prayed for Allah’s peace, mercy, and blessings on all of them.

He also prayed for the pilgrims who are performing this year’s Hajj and all those who are serving them.

He thanked Allah for the great success of the Kingdom’s efforts in reducing the effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of life.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said the Kingdom is working to increase the society's immunity by providing more than 22 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to citizens and residents.

He lauded the commitment of Umrah pilgrims to coronavirus precautionary measures as a result of which more than 17 million of them were able to perform the rituals during the pandemic with ease and tranquility.

Calling on the citizens, King Salman reminded them that the world is witnessing the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the continuous mutation of the virus.

Out of the Kingdom’s concern for the safety of pilgrims and to prevent the spread of the pandemic, Saudi Arabia has taken a set of precaution and preventive measures during this year’s Hajj season, King Salman said, adding that the authorities have implemented the digital system to serve pilgrims, reducing human involvement in crowd management in order to ensure the safety and health of pilgrims and the safety of personnel working in the service of pilgrims.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques also said that authorities in the Kingdom will continue to evaluate health conditions and take all measures to preserve public health.

Addressing Muslims around the world, King Salman said that the Islamic cooperation has resulted in the success of holding this year’s Hajj season, pointing out that religious bodies supported and valued the measures taken by Saudi Arabia during this year’s Hajj in order to protect the pilgrims and prevent the spread of the pandemic.

Saudi Arabia has taken into account that segments of pilgrims chosen to do this year’s Hajj from inside the Kingdom represent all Islamic countries, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques added.

He praised and thanked Allah for the successful organization of the Hajj and Umrah seasons in the face of the pandemic.

King Salman also thanked the personnel who are stationed to ensure the safety of the pilgrims, and also to the workers and volunteers in all government and private sectors who contributed to the success of this year's Hajj season.