The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud made a speech yesterday, addressing the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all Muslims everywhere to mark the occasion of the advent of the blessed month of Ramadan for this year 1437 H. Following is the text of the speech delivered by Dr. Adel bin Zaid Altoriafi, the Minister of Culture and Information: "In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful Thanks to Allah Almighty who stated in His holy book of Quran that "The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Koran was sent down, a guidance for people, and clear verses of guidance and the criterion. Therefore, whoever of you witnesses the month, let him fast. But he who is ill, or on a journey shall (fast) a similar number (of days) later on, Allah wants ease for you and does not want hardship for you. And that you fulfill the number of days and exalt Allah who has guided you in order that you be thankful". And prayer and peace be upon the best of his creation our Prophet Mohammed bin Abdullah, his family, his companions and followers until the day of resurrection. Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, my brothers the Muslims all over the world, Alsalamu Alaykum Warahmatu Allahi Wa Barakatu, and accept my Ramadan greetings. Let us thank God Almighty that we have the chance to once again attend this great and beloved ritual, the month of Quran, mercy, forgiving and saving from hell. Thanks for Him for bestowing on us abundant seen and unseen graces. And thanks for Him for the goodness, prosperity, high status and dignity he bestowed on this country in particular, as it is the land of revelation and from it the prophecy showing the way to right has emerged to mankind as God has chosen this area to become the home of the two holy mosques and the Gibla for all Muslims as they direct their faces towards it five times a day per day and night appealing for the mercy of Allah. Dear Muslims all over the world: the month of Ramadan comes this year as our Islamic nation is in dire need to translate the meanings and objectives of this great month to make worshipping solely devoted to Allah as fasting is the most sincerest worshipping for Allah. In this regard, the Prophet was quoted as saying "Every act of the son of Adam is for him except fasting. It is done for My sake, and I will give a reward for it. By Allah in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk". And that our nation of Islam should follow the instructions of the Prophet when he said "The believers are like one person; if his head aches, the whole body aches with fever and sleeplessness". The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has, since it was established by late King Abdulaziz Al Saud, God bestows his mercy on him, has made the unity of Islamic nation and the endeavor to reconcile the ranks of Arab and Islamic nations as the goal to which it was always targeting and keen to achieve as much as possible. We, as leadership and people, will remain keen to secure this goal and become happy since our brother Muslims are happy and painful once they are painful. We will stand by them in both cases during toughness and prosperity. Muslim brothers Ramadan is the month of mercy in which we remember that the whole world complains of the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Despite its varied malicious motives, terrorism is a deviation from the normal instinct that does not differentiate between right and wrong and does not respect pledges and sanctities. It has crossed the borders of states and penetrated their relations, spoiling relations among the loved ones and the tolerant and dividing fathers and sons as well as families and groups. My brothers: Islam is the religion of mercy, compassion, love and moderation, which calls for peace, justice and the renunciation of violence and extremism. We ask God in this blessed month to help the Islamic nation and the whole world to root out this scourge and eliminate it. I ask Him to give us help and success and to accept our fasting, prayers and good deeds, wishing you good health every year. Peace, mercy and blessings of God.
