Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti and Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh urged the pilgrims to stay away from political propaganda during the annual pilgrimage of Hajj.

“It is part of honoring the sanctity of God that the pilgrim embraces his pilgrimage and stays away from everything that harms his pilgrimage, his peace of mind and tranquillity, whether it is strife and arguments that lead to resentment and hatred, shouting or political slogans. The place of pilgrimage is a place of supplications and worship,” the grand mufti said in a statement issued on the occasion of Hajj.

Al-Sheikh urged the pilgrims to perform the Hajj rites with a sincere heart, following the Sunnah of His Prophet, and glorifying God. “We thank God Almighty for bestowing upon us this great religion, the religion of Islam. In these blessed days, the pilgrims flock to the safe land under great facilities and services provided by this blessed country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; may God perpetuate its glory and success,” he said.

The grand mufti urged the pilgrims to strictly adhere to three matters. First, the pilgrim shall be sincere in the intention of performing the pilgrimage to God Almighty alone. Secondly, the pilgrim must be keen on following the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and thirdly the pilgrim shall honor the sanctities of God during the pilgrimage.

Al-Sheikh noted that in veneration of God’s sanctity, the pilgrim must stay away from sins and bad deeds. “It is among the glorification of God’s sanctities that the pilgrim cooperates with the concerned authorities in enforcing all regulations and plans that were put in place only to facilitate the pilgrims’ movement and their peace and comfort. Honoring the sanctities also includes the pilgrim's keenness to keep their feelings clean,” he said.

The grand mufti urged the pilgrims to beware of the blessings that the God Almighty showered on them by facilitating the performance of pilgrimage and gathering in the holy land. He also highlighted the great services and facilities provided by the government of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to enable the pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort.