REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MECCA -- President of Council for Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques (the Grand Mosque and the Nabawi Mosque), Sheikh Abdul Rahman As-Sudais, urged pilgrims to not act or behave in a manner that politicizes Hajj pilgrimage.

At a meeting with several journalists from various nations invited by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to cover the pilgrimage preparations at his office here, Tuesday (Aug 6), Sheikh As-Sudais affirmed that Saudi Arabia is a prominent symbol of moderation and peaceful coexistence.

"You must perform Hajj rituals in a peaceful and comfortable manner and stay away from political slogans and behaviors that run counter to the noble values of Islam," he told the media delegates.

He emphasized that Islam opposes all forms of extremism, terrorism, and destructive behaviors, and urged pilgrims to spend their time knowing one another and working together for the sake of the people’s welfare. "Hajj is not a platform for politics or sectarianism but for unity among Muslims," he stressed, adding that to achieve this aim, Saudi Arabia has promoted moderation and a peaceful life.

According to Sheikh As-Sudais, Saudi Arabia has the sovereign right to manage the Haramain Sharifain, or the Two Holy Mosques. King Salman, as the Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques, always gives clear direction in serving the guests of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala all the time in search of His blessings, he added.

"The Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques will always continue to serve the Hajj pilgrimage and Umrah performers, as we consider it our duty to serve the guests of Allah seeking rewards only from Allah," Sheikh As-Sudais noted.

Furthermore, Sheikh As-Sudais stated that the Presidency Council of the Two Holy Mosques had set out a comprehensive service plan for pilgrims. "The main purpose of this plan is to improve services provided to guests of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala at Harramain Sharifain," he remarked.

One of the services is the Arafat sermon that will be delivered during wukuf -- the core procession of all hajj rituals -- at the Namirah Mosque, is translated into six languages with additional sign languages. Such translation is also available for sermons at the Grand Mosque. This effort is expected to offer pilgrims a broader understanding of the sermons delivered in Arabic.

Sheikh As-Sudais stressed that the mass media has gained the public’s trust in disseminating stories about the truth of Islam to the world as well as countering misinterpretation on Islam. Ahead of the implementation of Hajj, from 9th – 13th Dzhulhijjah 1440 Hijri, which falls on August 10-14, 2019, the Government of Saudi Arabia has invited journalists from several countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan as well as some African nations to cover preparations of the kingdom in serving the pilgrims from across the world.

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