I have recently returned from carrying out the fifth pillar of Islam, Hajj where I, myself experienced and witnessed first-hand the progress and improvements made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in facilitating ease, comfort, and relief for the pilgrims of the two holy places – Makkah and Madinah.
All the ritual acts of Hajj were felt easy to carry out due to the modern facilities generously made available by the Kingdom to help the pilgrims accomplish their Hajj performance.
This made me and my family feel grateful and thankful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the Crown Prince, Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.
Certainly, all the pilgrims owe the Kingdom for these facilities.
I also noticed the distinguished role played by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and its strong and active Minister Dr Abdul Latif Al Sheikh in keenly supervising the ‘Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Hajj Guests Program’ along with his very efficient administrative team.
Also evident, was a great interest of all government agencies in the Kingdom, such as security, health, clerics and others in ensuring the well-being of the pilgrims.
There, I met with many Muslims from around the world. In our conversations, almost all of them expressed their deepest thanks to the Kingdom for taking care of their well-being during their stay.
Our halt at the field of Arafah and then also in Mina under the scorching sun, with the temperature reaching as high as 49 degrees celsius, the heat felt was greatly dulled due to the comforting preparations made ready by the Kingdom long before Hajj.
Air conditioners were found in every tent. Water was available in plenty. People’s social standings were forgotten for a while in showing compassion for one another. The feeling of true and sincere brotherhood was tangibly felt reminding me of the sincere brotherhood of the early Muslims initiated by the Prophet (s).
The Saudi’s, men and women, welcomed us, the pilgrims with smiles on their faces. This could be seen and felt from the moment of our arrival in the kingdom until the day we departed. They were very hospitable and served us very humanely and brotherly.
I felt that there was a welcoming change in the dealings and interactions of Saudis in comparison to forty years ago when I was a student at Madinah Islamic University. In particular, the Saudi officials and staff have become more friendly and brotherly towards foreigners which reflects very positively on the transformation of Saudi work ethics that is being led by the present leadership of the country.
In addition, I also experienced that in ensuring the well-being of the pilgrims, the Kingdom by its Ministry of Trade disperses security personnel to the shops to check that they are not overpricing the goods sold to the pilgrims who are alien to the environment.
Such an exemplary practice, I have never seen in any other country in their treatment of their visitors.
To that extent, the Kingdom has obligated itself to the task of ensuring the well-being and just treatment of its visitors. The teaching of Islam, ‘Honour your guests’ is clearly reflected in the dealings of the Kingdom with its visitors, in particular, during the Hajj season.
I strongly have the conviction that those who have negative thoughts about the Kingdom before their journey to it, would return from it with the opposite thoughts after witnessing the reality first-hand that the Kingdom is progressing for the better for all.
During my stay there, I closely observed the system and program (منهج) employed by the Kingdom through the guidance of its Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Daawah and Guidance (وزارة الشؤون الاسلامية والدعوة والارشاد) in spreading and propagating the message of Islam.
I was amazed to find the same emphasis on belief (aqeedah), taking inspiration from the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (s) and revulsion to innovation that I experienced forty years ago when I was a student at the Madinah Islamic University.
Frankly speaking, before I left for Saudi Arabia, I had some negative thoughts about the Kingdom as I was influenced by information read on the internet and from hearing the people talk. However, having witnessed first-hand the truth and reality, I returned home with a feeling of immense pleasure and gratitude to the Kingdom, which is witnessing a great positive transformation under visionary and dynamic leadership.
The Quran reminds us:
(يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا (الحجرات – الآية ٦
“O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth of it …”(Quran 49:6)
The Hadith said:
إن كل ذي نعمة محسود
“Indeed, every favoured person is envied.”(Hadith)
A message to all is, let’s work together as one faithful community in maintaining the good image of the Kingdom which has in its custody Makkah as the birthplace of Islam.
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