Haram Imam Urges Muslims to Unite.
     
     
      JEDDAH, 15 January 2005 - The imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah has called on Muslims   to unite saying the humiliation and degradation Muslims continue to suffer are the result of division among their ranks. 

      Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais told hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who attended the last Friday prayers before Haj, that Haj is the embodiment of Muslim unity. "It is time that the nation of Islam turns this occasion into an opportunity to stand together as one body after a long time of disunity and dissent", he said.

      Over two million foreign and domestic pilgrims are expected to perform the annual pilgrimage which climaxes on Jan. 19 when pilgrims perform the Standing at Mount Arafat. The pilgrimage is the largest annual Muslim gathering worldwide. 

      Sheikh Al-Sudais reminded the faithful that the pilgrimage deals with almost every aspect of Muslim life, "whether of the past or the circumstance Muslims are experiencing at this very juncture in their history." 

      The imam said Haj is an opportunity for the nation to remember that its pride, leadership and prosperity all depend on its holding fast to the rope of the Almighty Allah and adhering to the teachings of Islam. 

      He said Muslims in general, and pilgrims attending the House of God in particular, should serve as examples to others in submitting to the One God and faithfully following the teachings of His messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). "They should show they are true followers of Islam, the religion of justice, moderation and magnanimity." 

      He urged the pilgrims and other Muslims to pray for their brethren in Palestine and Iraq and other areas afflicted by natural tragedies like earthquakes and floods. "It is by earnest and sincere prayer and supplication that Muslims can expect their conditions to improve," he said.

     
        

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