Hajj sermon: ‘Terrorism cannot be linked with any religion’

MOUNT ARAFAT: In his Hajj sermon, Imam-e-Kaaba Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais said that terrorism cannot be linked with a particular religion or nation, Islam is a religion of peace and has nothing to do with terrorism.
He called upon the Muslims to strictly follow the teachings of Islam.
This year Imam-e-Kaaba delivered Hajj sermon in place of Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh who is reportedly ill.
He urged the clerics to play their role in keeping people away from violence. Islam is a religion of peace which taught patience and tolerance, he noted.
Imam-e-Kaaba urged the Muslims to bring the perpetrators of violence to the book. Islam abhorred all types of violence in society. We must shun the differences on the bases of sects, and the Almighty has called us to follow the righteous path, he said.
‘Islam could only be implemented by following the Sunnah of Holy Prophet (PBUH).’
Close to 1.5 million Muslims from around the world moved to Mount Arafat to perform the main ritual of Hajj, where they offered Zuhr and Asr prayers together and listened Hajj sermon.
After preliminary rituals this week in Mecca at the Grand Mosque, the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia moved east on Saturday to the tent city of Mina and Mount Arafat.
They are following in the footsteps of Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) who performed the same rituals about 1,400 years ago.
"It´s marvellous. I´m here closer to God. It´s an indescribable feeling," said an Egyptian pilgrim who gave her name only as Louza, 45, as a helicopter monitored the throng.
The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, which capable Muslims must perform at least once, marking the spiritual peak of their lives.
Pilgrims come from every corner of the globe but Indonesia -- the world´s largest Muslim-populated nation -- has the largest quota.
Despite diverse languages and origins, they all "meet here in one place under one banner, the profession of the Muslim faith," Ashraf Zalat, 43, from Egypt, said in Mecca.
- Mina main base -
After Mecca, Mina becomes the pilgrims´ base, where an expanse of solidly built white fireproof tents can accommodate 2.6 million people in a valley beneath bare mountains.
Guides in orange vests helped to direct pilgrims while police cars patrolled and troops were stationed at regular intervals.
Last September 24, Mina was the scene of the deadliest disaster in hajj history, when the stampede broke out as pilgrims made their way to the Jamarat Bridge for a stoning ritual.
This year´s "Stoning of the Devil" will start on Monday.
Among the changes, government facilities have been moved out of Mina to free up space, and roads in the Jamarat area expanded, Saudi newspapers reported.
Officials have also been issuing pilgrims with bracelets that digitally store their personal data.
Authorities aim to give bracelets to each of the 1.3 million faithful from abroad, who are joined by more than 100,000 Muslims residing in Saudi Arabia.
Interior ministry spokesman General Mansour al-Turki spoke of "great efforts being exerted by the kingdom, not only in maintaining the security and safety of the pilgrims, but in facilitating performance" of the rites in comfort.
Pilgrims appeared satisfied.
"The transportation went well and the lodging is comfortable," said Salah Gaddoumi, 40, from Sudan, who is on his second hajj.
"It´s better organised this time," he said in Mina.
Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars in hajj infrastructure and safety projects over the years.