The Ministry of Culture and Information here on Monday held the annual ceremony to honor the media and cultural delegations participating in the coverage of the Hajj season this year, 1438H, in the presence of Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awad bin Saleh Al-Awad.
During the ceremony, which began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, the Minister of Culture and Information conveyed the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince to the delegations.
The minister stressed that the Kingdom has the honor to serve the two Holy Mosques and make use of all its material and human resources to care for pilgrims and look forward every year to achieving the best level and providing the best services that help pilgrims to perform their duties easily.
He pointed out that the Ministry of Culture and Information is happy in the Hajj seasons to host media and intellectuals to perform the Hajj and cover its blessed rituals and provide all technical services necessary to perform their duties.
Dr. Al-Awwad said that since the time of the founder late King Abdul Aziz and until today in the era of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the kingdom plays a great role in the service of the Two Holy Mosques and has implemented mega projects in the two holy mosques and the holy places.
He stressed that the Kingdom strives to unite ranks and achieve security and peace in various parts of the globe and to fight terrorism that targets Islam and works to distort its image. He noted that terrorism targeted the holiest places but God has defeated its evil. He stressed that the media should be a tool to combat extremism and terrorism and to combat hate speech and that our media should convey the message of peace and spread love and coexistence with peoples and cultures.
He thanked the media for the efforts exerted and the excellent coverage of the Hajj season, which contributed to the integrated media coverage of a great event that made the world know about this great event and follow the news and learn about the feelings of the pilgrims and share their stories and spiritual experience through the provision of media platforms with a global dimension.
The Minister of Culture and Information also praised the role played by the local media and the Saudi press in highlighting the bright and vital aspects of all the distinguished services provided by the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz in all fields.
Al-Awwad considered the local press as one of the main partners in the local and international media work in their constant keeping with events and developments.
Then, other speakers, representing Arab, Asian, European and African delegations, delivered speeches in which they expressed thanks for the generous invitation and hosting of the media delegations participating in the coverage of the Hajj season this year.
They congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince on the success of organizing the Hajj this year, pointing out that it was a special season.
They highlighted the role of the Kingdom and the services it provided and the projects carried out in the two holy mosques and the holy places, which had a great impact on enabling pilgrims to perform their rituals.
They appreciated the distinguished role of the Government of the Kingdom and its various institutions in caring for Muslims affairs and interests around the world, in addition to its main role in combating terrorism and maintaining the stability and security of the region.
The guests of the Ministry of Culture and Information sent a cable of thanks to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, expressing their pride and appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the best level of services provided to the two holy mosques and holy places.
They stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represents the heart of the Islamic world and senses hopes and pains of Muslims everywhere and strives to achieve unity, cooperation and solidarity in our Islamic world and to achieve security and peace in the whole world.
They also stressed that the Kingdom, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has overcome all odds and obstacles and made Hajj services a top priority and put forward fruitful plans to ensure the security of the pilgrims.
In the cable, the guests of the ministry praised the level of organization of the Hajj season and the services and capabilities that the kingdom has used in the expansions of the two holy mosques, the holy places and the roads leading to performing rituals in the holy places.
They also paid a special tribute to the Ministry of Culture and Information for providing the opportunity and opening the door to the Arab, Islamic and international media to convey this unique event in such depth and clarity, which gave a distinct vision this year and showed the magnitude of the efforts made every year.