MAKKAH: The Mufti-e-Azam Saudi Arab Sheikh Abdul Aziz in his sermon said that Islam stresses respecting and helping each other and being kind to one another as Islam is a religion of compassion and respect.The Arafat sermon was delivered by the chief Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz in Masjid-e-Nimra at Arafat.In his sermon the chief Mufti said that Islam emphasizes on the rights of family and prevents to grab the properties of orphans illegally.He said that anti Muslim forces were hatching conspiracies against Islam and Muslims across the world, he urged unity among Muslims, adding that doubts were being created in the minds of Muslim youths though modern communications. He affirmed that the enemies of Islam would meet the same fate that met Kuffaar when battled against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).Chanting, “I am at your service, Allah, I am at Your service.” They will stand at Arafat till sunset in the most spiritual moment of the Hajj. They will pray, supplicate and recite Quran till sunset. There they will also combine Zhur and Asru prayes after listening to the Hajj sermon delivered by one of the chief Imams of Makah in Masjid Namira.He said: “There is no place for terrorism in Islam… The Muslim intellectuals should address this menace and should take measures to root out this hazard besides eradicating misunderstandings about Islam and its teachings.”The Imam stressed the importance of respecting and helping and being kind to one another saying “Islam is a religion of compassion and respect.” The sermon also focused on education and learning as a means for human development and advancement. The role of youth and women as well as brining up children also dominated the sermon.The Hajj sermon advocates these virtues and severely condemns violence, terrorism and inhuman actions. It also expressed grave concern and sorrow over the sufferings of innocent peoples and communities whose rights and freedom are deprived and calls for the restoration of rights and freedom of such people. The sufferings and inhuman treatment caused to the Palestinian people is severely deplored in the sermon.Nearly 3 million Muslims from different parts of the world have converged in Mt Arafat, a rocky desert outside the Holy city of Macca to perform “Wuquf” (standing) at Mount Arafat, one of the most important rituals of Hajj pilgrimage. Saudi authorities have made their best arrangements for the safety and convenience of pilgrims.
Friday, August 14, 2009 MUMBAI: A 26-year-old woman died Thursday of H1N1 swine flu in the southern city of Bangalore, raising India's death toll from the virus to 20, authorities said.The death was the first reported in India's information technology capital, the Press Trust of India reported.Meanwhile in Pune, the worst-affected in India, two more victims of the virus died Thursday, raising the death toll in that western city near Mumbai to 12, the report said. The victims were an 11-month-old boy and a 75-year-old old woman.US media reported movie halls, schools and colleges were ordered closed Thursday for three days to a week in Mumbai, the commercial and financial capital of the country, as fear of the pandemic spread.Prajakata Lavangare, a spokeswoman for the government of Maharashtra state of which Mumbai is the capital, said similar orders were issued in Pune, which is also located in the state.The woman who died in Bangalore was identified only as Roopa, a teacher in
Comments