Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Muqrin, Deputy Premier; and Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, received pledges of allegiance from princes, ministers, eminent scholars, senior civilian and military officials, and a group of citizens at Qasr Al-Hukm (Palace of Governance) after Isha prayers (late evening) on Friday. Condolences were receiving after Isha prayers on Saturday at the Royal Court in Al-Yamamah Palace. Emirs and governors of various provinces and regions also received condolences. They will continue receiving condolences at the same time on Sunday also. Speaking at the pledge of allegiance ceremony, Grand Mufti and Chairman of the Senior Scholars' Commission Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh highlighted the peaceful transfer of power. “We offer our pledge of allegiance to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Salman as King of Saudi Arabia on the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and we also pledge allegiance to Prince Muqrin as Crown Prince and Prince Muhammad Bin Naif as Deputy Crown Prince,” Al-Asheikh said. “Ours is a true and sincere pledge of allegiance upon which we are committed to pay our leaders every attention, loyalty and obedience as long as he/they are doing what pleases Allah. It forbids us to go rebellions since this is a pledge based on Shariah and Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH).” The grand mufti also cited the history of the pledge of allegiance as an Islamic tradition for how power would peacefully be transferred from an outgoing leader to another.
