RIYADH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman greeted Muslims in the Kingdom and the entire world on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan. In an address, delivered on his behalf by Acting Minister of Media Majed Al-Qasabi, the King underscored the need to continue to work hard to overcome this difficult time caused by coronavirus pandemic. The Monarch expressed sorrow over the difficulties caused to the smooth performance of rituals during the month of Ramadan due to the outbreak of the pandemic. “To tell you the truth, it pains me to welcome the glorious month of Ramadan under circumstances that forbid us from performing congregational prayers and the Ramadan prayers of taraweeh and Qiyamullail in houses of God. “All this is due to the precautionary measures taken to save human lives and their wellbeing in confronting the coronavirus pandemic,” he said while emphasizing that the provisions of the Islamic Shariah made safeguarding human lives an extremely significant thing. “Ramadan has entered this year while we are living in circumstances that have extreme impact on the entire humanity and we are passing through the difficult and sensitive phase of world history due to the outbreak of the pandemic, despite the measures taken by countries of the world and humanitarian organizations to prevent its spread,” he said. He added that the Kingdom is keen to serve the citizens and expatriates as well as to ensure their safety. Referring to the Kingdom’s sublime position in serving the Two Holy Mosques, the King said: “Among the nations, we are bestowed by God with the great honor and dignity to serve His Great House, and His Prophet’s Mosque — a service that we honor and strive to fulfill it, with hosting the guests of God, including Haj and Umrah pilgrims and visitors, and keeping awake for their comfort. We are also proud of the string of precautionary measures taken by the Kingdom to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic,” he said. King Salman stressed that the Kingdom was keen to provide everything that would serve citizens and expatriates, as well as to ensure their safety and health. “The Kingdom also contributes to mitigate the economic impact of this pandemic, through local measures and support to international organizations in serving the humanity.” The King also thanked the armed forces on the borders and security personnel as well as the health practitioners, saying: “May God bless your efforts and crown your endeavors with success and accept from you the most sincere of your work and dedication in serving your country.” Meanwhile, King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman received several phone calls and cables of greetings from heads of state and leaders of Arab and Muslim countries on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan. In a related development, the Saudi Supreme Court congratulated King Salman, the Crown Prince, the government and people of Saudi Arabia and Muslims all over the world on the eve of Ramadan. The Supreme Court session, which was held in Riyadh on Thursday evening, reviewed reports sent by regional courts based on testimonies of several individuals from various regions and governorates confirming to their sighting of the Ramadan. On the basis of this, the court declared Friday as the first day of Ramadan.