To mark the occasion, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud delivered a speech in which he said: "In the name of Allah, the most merciful, the most gracious. Praise be to Allah who says in the Holy Quran, ''And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass'', and peace be upon prophet Muhammed, his family and companions. Dear brothers and sisters, guests of Allah. Dear brothers and sisters of our Muslim nation everywhere. Dear audience. May Allah's peace, mercy and blessing be upon you. I am greeting you from the vicinity of the house of Allah, from the cradle of revelation, and the source of the Mohammedan message calling for tolerance and dialogue. I congratulate you on the advent of the blessed Eid Al-Adha, the day of great Hajj, may Allah return it to all with the good and blessings. Brothers and Sisters, In Hajj, the fundamental call of Islam is reflected in the unity of the nation as in this great gathering in these holy sites at one time and in one place, responding to the call of Allah for Hajj to the ancient house of Allah, leaving behind the adornment of the worldly life. Brothers and Sisters, Allah has honored the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to serve the Two Holy Mosques and the guests of Allah, a service we are proud of; we have made their care and safety at the top of our concerns and harnessed everything that helps them to perform their Hajj by integrated projects aiming to facilitate the performance of hajj and the safety of visitors of the Holy Grand Mosque and the Holy Prophet's Mosque, complementing great efforts exerted by late Kings of this country since the era of the founder late King Abdulaziz (May Allah bestow mercy upon his soul). I pray to Allah Almighty to accept your deeds, make your Hajj acceptable, and return you to your countries safely. May Allah's peace, mercy and blessing be upon you". --More 18:06 LOCAL TIME 15:06 GMT 0017 www.spa.gov.sa/w1155203