October 29, 2004

THE SAUDI LEADERSHIP CONGRATULATES THE LEADERS OF THE MUSLIM WORLD ON THE ADVENT OF THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN. THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES AND THE CROWN PRINCE: OUR ISLAMIC TEACHINGS REJECT VIOLENCE, EXTREMISM AND TERRORISM AND PREACH MODERATION AND TOLERANCE. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, and Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, have congratulated Muslims on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan. In a speech, read on their behalf by Dr. Fuad Ibn Abdul Salam Al-Farsi, the Minister of Culture and Information on the Saudi radio and television, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, and Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard welcomed the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, noting that, according to the holy Quran and Prophet Mohammed's sayings it is the holiest month of the year which embraces Laylat Alqadr, the most blessed night in the year. They congratulated Muslims all over the world on the holy month of Ramadan, a long-awaited event by Muslims who are gearing to collect more rewards through fasting and philanthropic doing as handouts and kind acts are double-rewarded in Ramadan. In its capacity as Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is committed to enforce the Sharia law in all aspects of life and sincerely work for the interest of the people of this country, the sons of the Muslim world and the world at large, the the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, and Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard said. They added that the Muslim nation is nowadays in dire need for unity of ranks, deeds and words. Our positions and efforts should come in line with the Sharia law which denounces violence, extremism and terrorism and should urge for wisdom and moderation, they concluded. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, and Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, called for Muslim unity, saying Muslims are in urgent need to stand together more than any other time and to work according to the teachings of Islam that reject violence, extremism and terrorism. "Hold fast together the rope of God and stand united at this very time when the nation of Islam is in need of coming together and Muslims in need of adhering to the Islamic teachings that reject violence, extremism and terrorism and preach moderation and tolerance," the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz and the Crown Prince told Muslims in a Ramadan greeting message, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Saudi Arabia joined other Muslim countries in observing the holy month of Ramadan where Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. "The nation of Islam is in greater need of unity than any time before," the Saudi leaders said. "The Islamic faith instructs us to follow the principles of wisdom and moderation." The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Abdullah congratulated Muslims all over the world on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan which begins today. They also reminded Muslims of the greatness of Ramadan and advised them to do righteous deeds. The Saudi leaders said the Kingdom would spare no effort in the service of Islam and Muslims everywhere, especially those who come to Saudi Arabia as pilgrims and pledged to work tirelessly and will all determination for the interest of the country and its people. "The blessed month has come... when the doors of Paradise are kept open and the doors of Hell are closed and the devils are chained... In this month there is a night that is better than a thousand months. On this occasion we congratulate all Muslims on the advent of this holy month where Muslims should make good use of it through good deeds and worship," the King and the Crown Prince said The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, exchanged messages of Ramadan greetings with world leaders.