The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of India, H.E. Mr. Faisal Hassan Trad participated in the annual function organized by the Haj Committee of India to see off the first group of the Indian Haj pilgrims leaving to Saudi Arabia. The ceremony was presided over by the External Affairs Minister of India, H.E.Mr. S.M.Krishna in the presence of the Chief Minister of Delihi Mrs. Sheila Dixit and the Vice Chairman of the Haj Committee of India Mr.Hassan Ahmed.

Mrs. Sheila Dixit extended her best wishes to the pilgrims and welcomed the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia. She expressed her sincere appreciation for the efforts of the Kingdom in serving the pilgrims. She also appreciated the efforts made by the Saudi Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulate General in Mumbai in order to complete the issuance of Haj visas in a record time.

Speaking on the occasion, the Hon’ble External Affairs Minister of India, Mr. S.M.Krishna referred to the great efforts made by the Government of India for Indian pilgrims and expressed the thanks and appreciation of the Government of India to the Government of Saudi Arabia for everything that it does to facilitate the pilgrims’ affairs. He told the Indian pilgrims that they are representatives of India and they should carry the best wishes of Indians to their hosts and Saudi brothers and sisters. He also urged them to demonstrate exemplary patience and forbearance during this great religious congregation so that their journey proves rewarding.

The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Tow Holy Mosques stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud takes great pride in being the cradle of Islam, and that the Government of the Kingdom, under the instructions of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, makes use of all its resources to provide all possible facilities and services to the pilgrims.

He said that the Kingdom is extremely proud of the honour bestowed on it by Almighty Allah, adding that since the unification of the Kingdom by late King Abdulaziz Al-Saud, it has taken upon itself the responsibility of facilitating the Haj affairs and making the performance of Haj rituals safe and easy, and it has spent billions of dollars on expanding the Two Holy Mosques and building roads, bridges, hospitals and airports to ensure safe movement of the pilgrims. The Ambassador wished the pilgrims a blessed pilgrimage and safe return to their homes.