The enemies of Muslim states are trying to spread ‘chaos and confusion’, Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti told pilgrims from around the world in an address during the annual Hajj pilgrimage on Friday.
“Oh Muslim peoples, your countries have been entrusted to you, so safeguard your security and stability, your gains, your resources and public projects,” Sheikh Abdul Aziz al Sheikh said in a televised address from Nimrah Mosque at Mount Arafat in western Saudi Arabia.
Close to two million Muslims from around the world were gathered there for a day of prayer at the peak of the annual Hajj. “And know that you are targeted by your enemies who want to tear your ranks, turn your hearts against each other and spread chaos and confusion and beware of their conspiracies,” he said from the spot where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made his final sermon 14 centuries ago.
The grand mufti’s comments, similar to his Hajj sermon last year, come in the context of widespread revulsion among the Muslims towards jihadists of the Islamic State group.
Since last month, Saudi Arabia and four other Arab countries have joined the United States in air strikes in Syria against the militants, who have declared a ‘caliphate’ straddling that country and Iraq where they have committed a spate of atrocities, including crucifixions and beheadings.
In August, the grand mufti had urged Muslim youth not to be influenced by “calls for jihad ... on perverted principles”. The kingdom is seeking to deter youths from becoming jihadists after Syria’s conflict attracted hundreds of Saudis.
The grand mufti has said that radicalism and terrorism “have nothing to do with Islam and [their proponents] are the enemy number one of Islam”.
Earlier tears flowed and prayers filled the air as the Hajj reached its zenith at the vast plain of Arafat.
“I am now a newborn baby and I don’t have any sin,” Nigerian pilgrim Taofik Odunewu told AFP, tears streaming down his face. He stood at the foot of Mount Arafat and raised his hands to the heavens. “I pray for prosperity, long life and... I pray for my country,” Odunewu said with a broad smile. An insurgency by Boko Haram militants has claimed thousands of lives in Nigeria.
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims arrived at Arafat on Friday carrying suitcases and other luggage among thousands of white tents which stood ready to accommodate the multitude.
From early morning, pilgrims crowded onto the slippery, rocky hill known as Mount Mercy. The pilgrims’ attire turned the hill white in colour, and they carried umbrellas as shields against the hot desert sun. Some pilgrims sat alone on the rocks, praying silently, but others gathered in groups, their voices in a loud appeal to Allah Almighty.
Egyptian pilgrim Muhammad Ahmed, 53, sat with his wife under a make-shift tent. He said they were praying for “the victory of Muslims, those who are weak, oppressed, and jailed... all over the world.”
The pilgrims stayed at Mount Arafat until sunset when they set off for nearby Muzdalifah, where they will gather pebbles for the symbolic ‘stoning of the devil’ on Saturday. In conjunction, animals will be slaughtered for Eidul Azha.
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Muhammad bin Nayef said the Hajj had attracted almost 1.4 million foreign pilgrims from 163 nations. Local media report that several hundred thousand Saudis are also participating, pushing the total towards two million.
Saudi authorities are also striving to protect pilgrims from two deadly viruses, Ebola and the MERS coronavirus. No such cases have been recorded among the pilgrims, officials say. Three West African states hardest hit by Ebola have not been allowed Hajj visas.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2014.
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THE "WEST", particularly the United States, should back out and let Islam handle its problems. There has been too much collateral damage and too many armaments introduced into the region and too many killed and injured, both military and civilian. Property damage so much that it will take several generations to recover. Business and agriculture has been devastated throughout many countries. Planted mines and unexploded munitions will for decades keep killing, injuring and reminding us of the folly of our well intentioned efforts to force democracy in areas where the "people" don't want the materialistic and hedonistic life of the West. The life that tries to have "guns and butter" at the same time. So I say, withdrawing is not a sign of weakness but a show of moral strength. We can turn attention to Ebola, poverty, HIV, starvation, poor education of the young, beginning at home so we will once again be, " A light, along with other nations, to the world, illuminating the way even to other planets of peaceful living on this earth.