Fight poverty: Grand Mufti

Addressing a huge gathering of Haj pilgrims at Nimra Mosque, Sheikh Abdul Aziz said poverty and ignorance are two major problems faced by the Muslims and advised the followers to unite to address the issues faced by the Ummah.

Calling people to follow the teachings of the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Sheikh Abdul Aziz said Muslims should ask Allah alone for help. “We want the call of the faithful, not a factional one. Avoid raising national and factional slogans,” the Grand Mufti said in his sermon.

He said Muslim leaders were responsible for the well-being of their people and should resolve problems through religious teaching, not violence. He added that all Muslims should become one economic force and focus on science and technology.

Haj pilgrims climb Jabal Al Rahma on the plains of Arafat during the peak of the pilgrimage on Thursday. — Reuters

Sheikh Abdul Aziz said the Islamic system of governance was better than a fake democracy. Political problems can be solved through dialogue. The Grand Mufti urged pilgrims to respect all nations and highlighted that blasphemy would not be tolerated.

The Grand Mufti also reminded Muslims that suicide is haram (forbidden) and those who commit it will not be forgiven.

Nearly three million Muslims stood at Mount Arafat in the most important ritual of the Haj. Most had spent the night at nearby Mina.

Thousands of tents were pitched alongside the main roads to Mount Arafat. As the sun rose, pilgrims were still streaming in and others who had already secured their spot were sleeping in tents or on slabs of rock. “It’s impressive to see the amount of people from all backgrounds asking Allah for forgiveness,” said Babacar Diagne, 47, a Canadian originally from Senegal in West Africa. He looked down the mountain towards a sea of people all dressed in simple white robes.

After dusk, pilgrims will head to the plain of Muzdalifah to spend the evening there in preparation for the ritual stoning of the Satan in Jamarat.

Saudi authorities have spent billions of dollars in recent years improving Haj infrastructure. Meanwhile, people in the UAE and other Gulf countries were bracing for Eid Al Adha celebrations today.

Pilgrims pray on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat in the early morning during the peak of the annual Haj pilgrimage near the holy city of Makkah, October 25, 2012. Reuters

Leaders of Emirates and hundreds of thousands of residents will throng mosques and musallahs this morning to offer prayers. With the spirit of sacrifice and brotherhood reigning supreme, they would then rush to greet friends and relatives with freshly made delicacies.

With the fifth edition of ‘Eid in Dubai’ currently running in the emirate, the main focus has shifted to shopping and other entertainment. Shopping malls in Dubai have practically rolled out the red carpet to pamper shoppers with promotions, discounts and super deals backed by a range of entertainment for the whole family.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Thursday commended the positive and constructive partnership between the government and private sectors during the ‘Dubai 24 Hours’ shopping initiative launched as part of ‘Eid in Dubai’ celebrations.

Shaikh Mohammed said the unique harmony between the key private companies and the Dubai government’s vision is one of the significant factors behind Dubai success and progress.

While some malls are participating in the ‘Dubai 24 hours’ initiative, several others have extended shopping hours. Transport services like Dubai Metro and Sharjah Transport have also extended their operation till early morning to cater to revellers.

As families from neighbouring as well as far away countries started to arrive to celebrate ‘Eid in Dubai’, officials spread good cheer as they moved through the arrival terminal handing out Dh1,000 shopping vouchers to excited children to the delight of their families.

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