“The Kingdom’s policy does not allow any party to tamper with the smooth operation of Haj events and undermine the security of pilgrims,” the Cabinet said in a statement.

The Cabinet also warned against moves by certain quarters to create divisions among Muslims and called on pilgrims to keep away from all activities that could affect Haj security.

The weekly Cabinet meeting, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, urged pilgrims to make use of their valuable time in the holy places to establish closer relations with God by engaging in worship, prayer and meditation.

“Let there be no sexual relations, nor sin, nor dispute during the Haj,” the Cabinet said, quoting a verse from the Holy Qur’an. The Cabinet statement came following comments made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an apparent move to politicize Haj.

Haj Minister Fouad Al-Farsy and Shoura Council President Abdullah Al-Asheikh have denounced the move to undermine security during the annual pilgrimage.

They highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to improve facilities for pilgrims to perform their rituals comfortably.

The Islamic Fiqh Academy also called on pilgrims to abide by the teachings of Islam while performing the Haj rituals. “Pilgrims should feel the sacredness of the place and time during their stay in the holy places,” said Secretary-General Abdussalam Al-Abadi.

On Monday Al-Abadi said pilgrims should not get involved in any activity that disturbs the order of Haj, undermines its security and violates its peace and tranquility.

Briefing the media about proceedings at the Cabinet meeting, Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja meanwhile said the Council of Ministers decided to sign two agreements with Qatar — one to combat drug trafficking and another to promote cooperation in Civil Defense.

The Cabinet approved the regulations for the opening of honorary consulates and appointment of honorary consuls in different regions of the Kingdom. It endorsed the memorandum of understanding that was signed with China on Feb. 10, 2009 for cooperation in the fields of petroleum, gas and minerals.

The Cabinet congratulated the king for winning the Barcelona Meeting Point Prize. He had been commended for his “judicious vision for the future” and the “positive spirit of initiative manifested in the establishment of King Abdullah Economic City.”

By P.K. Abdul Ghafour

© Arab News 2009

 

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