13 July 2013
Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, Imam and Khateeb at the Grand Mosque, has called on Muslims to shun all disputes and violence during Ramadan.

He urged combatants to cease fighting in Syria to allow humanitarian aid to enter that country.

"Syria is bleeding while heartless oppressors are committing horrendous savagery in Homs, violating all international norms and blocking humanitarian aid to the victims," Al-Sudais said in his sermon at the Grand Mosque on the first Friday of this year's Ramadan.

Al-Sudais also called for the situation in Egypt to be handled with wisdom and insight and that bloodshed should be avoided at all cost.

"Our Muslim Ummah is still divided and in disarray while facing worsening crises. The blood of our brothers is being shed in the holy land of Palestine in the holy month of Ramadan by insolent Zionists," the sheikh said.

He called on believers to use Ramadan to fast and perform nightly prayers.

The imam also urged worshippers to cooperate with the authorities who have undertaken huge expansion work at the mataf, the circumambulation area around the Kaaba, to ensure the safety of pilgrims.

Sheikh Ali Al-Hudhaifi, Imam and Khateeb at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, said Ramadan is a time to carry out good deeds.

"Almighty Allah forgives all the sins of the past year of those who do good deeds during the month of Ramadan," he said.

© Arab News 2013