Saudi- Prince Salman: Haj was a big success 

(MENAFN - Arab News) This year's Haj was a big success by all standards, said Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense.

He emphasized Saudi Arabia's efforts in the service of pilgrims and the two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah. "The Kingdom has been making every possible efforts to help pilgrims perform their Haj rituals at ease," he said.

Speaking to top military commanders who came to greet him on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, he said: "I am very happy to receive you to celebrate the Eid together."

He emphasized Saudi Arabia's important role in the Islamic world, being the land of revelation and the qiblah (direction) of Muslims during their prayers.

Prince Naif bin Sultan, adviser to the crown prince, and Prince Muhammad bin Salman, special adviser to Prince Salman, attended the reception.

Prince Salman commended the speech delivered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah while receiving the heads of foreign Haj missions at his palace in Mina. "Serving Haj and Umrah pilgrims is the duty of everybody," the crown prince said, and commended the efforts made by the armed forces, the security forces and the National Guard in the service of pilgrims.

"Every one of you is a soldier for goodness, a soldier for Islam and a soldier in the service of the country, pilgrims and visitors," Prince Salman told the commanders.

The reception was attended by Chief of Staff Gen. Hussein Al-Qubail and Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Abdul Aziz Al-Hussein.