Samar Yahya

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH — Mahmoud Habash, Minister of Waqf and Religious Affairs in Palestinian Authority, appreciated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah grants for Palestinian martyrs families to perform Haj.



“Our thanks to King Abdullah for all the efforts done for Palestinians in general and pilgrims in particular,” Habash said.



“This is the fifth year that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques grants Haj journeys to families of Palestinian martyrs and prisoners. During the last four years 8,000 Palestinians from prisoners and martyrs families were allowed to perform Haj, 2,000 annually. This year 1.000 from martyrs families was allowed to perform Haj,” Habash added.



Palestine Consul General Emaad Shaath too expressed his gratitude to King Abdullah for all the support and aid always given to Palestinians on political, economic and social and humanitarian levels. “This year 1,000 Palestinians from prisoners and martyrs families came to perform Haj with King Abdullah’s grant. About 500 came from Gaza and 500 from West Bank. The 500 Gazawi pilgrims came through Cairo airport and the other 500 from Amman airport.”



“Our thanks to Ministry of Islamic Affairs and all the organizing procedures done by the Ministry in Kingdom,” Shaath added Hassan Shehadeh, brother of a Palestinian martyr said, “On my own behalf and on behalf of all prisoners and martyrs families who are performing Haj through the grant, we thank Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques for giving us this opportunity to perform Haj. We received all the care, attention and high quality service since we arrived in Jeddah. I can say that the services presented to us are beyond all our expectations.”



“We also present our thanks to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Minister of Waqf and Religious Affairs Habash and ambassadors of Egypt and Jordan for facilitating all the required procedures at airports.” Shehadeh said.



Habash and Shaath visited pilgrims in their accommodations in Arafat and ensured that they are all doing well and their health statuses are well. Palestinian prisoners and martyrs families arrived from Cairo and Amman on Dhul Hijja 5 and 6.