MECCA: King Faisal has appealed to world Muslims to adhere to their religious beliefs and to strengthen Muslim solidarity and brotherhood “as it is this that will ensure for us all good”, the Saudi Press Agency reported today [Dec 21]. It said the Saudi Arabian monarch was addressing heads of pilgrimage missions here last night at an annual celebration.

The King said Arab victories in the October 1973 war with Israel on the Suez Canal and the Golan Heights was proof of their religious beliefs, and being faithful to their countries, Muslims would succeed in all fields. “Undoubtedly, the aggression carried out by our Zionist enemies in Arab holy places is part of designs aimed at destroying Muslims and believers in God as well as the whole world,” he added. “What they are after is the creation of dissension among Muslims and Arabs. …” the King said.

Meanwhile, the largest gathering of Muslim pilgrims in history today attended the ceremony of washing the Kaaba. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world are gathering in Mecca for performing Haj. King Faisal himself washed the Kaaba ground with rose water and “Aab-i-Zam Zam”.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2024