http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=126344&d=12&m=9&y=2009&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom
Saturday 12 September 2009 (22 Ramadan 1430)
Fight terrorism jointly: Al-Sudais
Arab News
Thousands of worshippers throng the Grand Mosque in Makkah
for the juma prayer. (AN photo by Ahmad Hashad)
MAKKAH/MADINAH: More than three million Muslim faithful attended
juma, taraweeh and Qiyamullail prayers at the Two Holy Mosques on Friday as the
imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah called for joint efforts to combat terrorism.
The Haram in Makkah overflowed with worshippers as tens of
thousands of faithful had come to perform Umrah and attend special prayers
seeking Lailat Al-Qadr, the night of power.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, accompanied by
senior princes, ministers and officials, is in Makkah to spend the last 10 days
of Ramadan in the vicinity of Haram.
The king has instructed government departments to mobilize their
resources in the service of the guests of God who have come from different
parts of the world to perform Umrah and spend the blessed days of Ramadan at
the Two Holy Mosques.
Security and traffic departments have deployed more officers around
the Two Holy Mosques to maintain law and order and ensure smooth flow of
pilgrims. The Health Ministry has made precautionary measures to protect the
health of pilgrims from contagious diseases such as swine flu.
Delivering his Friday sermon, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, imam
of the Grand Mosque, urged the faithful to fear God in all walks of their
lives. He also urged Muslims to make use of the blessings in the last 10 days
of Ramadan by engaging in worship and righteous deeds. "It's a great blessing
of God that we have another opportunity to live in these most blessed days and
nights of the year," he said. "We have to thank God for this blessing by doing
good deeds. Are we ready to do that?" the imam asked.
He explained how the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions
spent the last 10 days of Ramadan. The Prophet used to stay inside the mosque
throughout the last 10 days of the holy month, seeking Lailat Al-Qadr. "This
night is called Lailat Al-Qadr considering its importance and greatness. It's
better than a thousand months."
Al-Sudais also spoke about the importance of paying Zakah, the
compulsory payment of a specific portion of a person's wealth. Most Muslims pay
their Zakah during Ramadan to maximize their reward.
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