Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Christopher Henzel, chargé de affaires at the US embassy in Riyadh, expressed his deep gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to thousands of American pilgrims who came to perform Haj this year.

In a statement, Henzel noted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to provide vital services for pilgrims, expressing his sincere thanks to the people of the Kingdom for this kind hospitality to American Muslims.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Haj and Umrah urged the pilgrims to follow schedules set for grouping of pilgrims so as to avert the risks of crowding and stampede. The Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has launched a program titled ‘Copy of Holy Qur’an for every pilgrim’ as part of the sixth edition of the campaign titled “Serving pilgrims and visitors is our pride’. The Presidency is exerting all efforts to help pilgrims to perform their Haj rituals in ease, tranquility, and comfort.

In a related development, the Muslim World League (MWL) will hold the annual Haj conference in Mina on Wednesday. Around 500 prominent Islamic scholars, thinkers and intellectuals from 76 countries, hosted by MWL for this year’s Haj, will attend the conference with the theme of “The concept of mercy and capacity in Islam.”