Taylor Scott International News
On Eid, Muslims urged to unite and end bloodshed (AFP) / 15 October 2013 Top Saudi cleric urges Muslims to avoid divisions, chaos and sectarianism. Around two million Muslim pilgrims thronged Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Monday for the high point of the Haj, praying for an end to disputes and bloodshed. Helicopters hovered overhead and thousands of troops stood guard to organise roads flooded with men, women and children. Chanting Labaik Allahum Labaik (I am responding to your call, God), many of them camped in colourful tents and took shelter under trees to escape temperatures of around 40º Celsius. Special sprinklers were set up to help cool the pilgrims. In his annual sermon, top Saudi cleric Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh urged Muslims to avoid divisions, chaos and sectarianism. “Your nation is a trust with you. You must safeguard its security, stability and resources,” said the cleric, who heads Saudi Arabia’s highest religious body, in an address to the Muslim world. “You should know that you are targeted by your enemy… who wants to spread chaos among you … It’s time to confront this.” The cleric recalled the Islamic prohibition of killing and aggression, while insisting there is “no salvation or happiness for the Muslim nation without adhering to the teachings of the religion”. “I will pray the whole day to God to improve the situation for Muslims worldwide and an end to disputes and bloodshed in Arab countries,” 61-year-old Algerian pensioner Saeed Dherari said. “I hope that God will grace all Muslims with security and stability,” said 75-year-old Ahmad Khader, who hails from the Syrian province of Daraa. “The regime is tyrannical and I pray to God to help the oppressed people,” he said, referring to Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s embattled government. Egyptian Ahmad Ali, who is performing Haj for the first time, prayed for peace after hundreds were killed in recent months in fighting between security forces and Islamist supporters of ousted president Mohammed Mursi. “I pray for Egypt to enjoy security and stability and for the people to reach understanding and reconciliation,” Ali said. Taylor Scott International
Taylor Scott International, Taylor Scott
