SHAFAQNA (International Shia News Association)-Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will host 1,000 Palestinians from the families of martyrs who were killed during Israel’s last aggression on Gaza strip to perform hajj this year.
“The generosity of King Abdullah for the sixth consecutive year is driven by his feelings of Islamic and Arab brotherhood towards Palestine and the Palestinian people,” Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da`wah, and Guidance Salih ibn `Abdul `Aziz ibn Muhammad Al Al-Shaykh was quoted by SPA news agency on Sunday, September 7.
“This special offer, which was dedicated to the families of the Palestinian martyrs, is expected to have a big effect on them which shall alleviate their suffering.
“By this year, the number of Palestinians who performed hajj on the cost of the King will reach 12 thousands from families of martyrs,” he added.
The minister went on to promise the Palestinians a special program during hajj to perform the religious duty accordingly.
“The Kingdom has worked in all circumstances to get the lawful rights of the Palestinian people to achieve their hopes and aspirations. It has also used all its capacities to reach these goals,” he added.
Israel launched relentless airstrikes against Gaza on July 8 where more than 2,100 have been killed and thousands injured.
An agreement was announced on August 26, declaring a “permanent” ceasefire with Israel in a deal brokered by Egypt.
According to UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), about 80% of deaths in Gaza are civilians, including dozens of children and women.
The large scale of mass destruction in Gaza has left about 5,510 homes completely destroyed and about 31,000 partially damaged, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes that were caught up in the Israeli air strikes.
Muslims from around the world pour into Makkah every year to perform hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam.
Hajj consists of several ceremonies, which are meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith, and to commemorate the trials of Prophet Abraham and his family.
Every able-bodied adult Muslim who can financially afford the trip must perform hajj at least once in a lifetime.