Hussein Hazzazi Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – There has been an outpouring of support for King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, while he recovers in hospital following back surgery. “A surgery was performed on the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques at the National Guard's King Abdul Aziz Medical City in Riyadh on Saturday to tighten a loose ligament in the upper back," said a royal court statement carried by Saudi Press Agency. “With God's help, the surgery ended at 3.15 Sunday morning and thanks be to God it was successful," the statement added. Many Saudi citizens paid tribute to the King, praising his efforts to help the weak, support the needy and protect people's wealth. They told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that they share his pain and are patiently waiting for him to recover. Saudi national Muhammad Humaid Salim said all citizens are united in their love for the King as he is the leader of the Ummah and responsible for their advancement. He hoped Allah granted him a quick recovery and good health in the future. Citizens in the Eastern Province have prayed to Allah to grant the King a quick recovery, Salim added. Salim described King Abdullah as a man with a big heart who loves his people deeply. Jawad Ahmad Al-Nejaidi added King Abdullah is a symbol and is loyal to the country and its people. He added: “He is a successful leader as demonstrated by this march of development in our country. “What hurts him undoubtedly hurts us all. We pray to Allah to grant him a quick recovery and good health." Abdulghani Al-Ghamdi said he hoped the King's operation would be successful. He added: “All the people are patiently waiting for the King to be released from the hospital, cured and in good health." Schools prayed that Allah protect King Abdullah and grant him a quick recovery and good health. Girls at Al-Saba'een Primary School in Jeddah wore green sashes with the King's picture as well as green caps with the Kingdom's flag that they also waved in a scene similar to the National Day celebrations. They chanted slogans praising King Abdullah. Samira Bin Mahfooz Al-Hadhrami, principal of the school, said all of her students were praying to Allah to grant good health to King Abdullah, as he is “a father to all and a source of strength and support for Islam and Muslims." Awwad Hajjar from Madinah prayed to Allah to grant quick recovery to the King. This was just one of thousands of prayers for the King. He has received wide praise from all sections of Saudi society for leading the country into an era of development and progress in all fields and providing young people with opportunities to make a contribution to the Kingdom's development. — Additional reporting by Khaled Al-Belahidi in Dammam, Majed Al-Suqairi in Madinah and Abdullah Al-Dhibyani in Makkah.
