Washington, Dhu-AlHijjah 09, 1438, August 31, 2017, SPA -- The Chargé d'Affaires of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Christopher Henzel, on behalf of the United States Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Americans visiting the Kingdom to perform Hajj rituals this year, has extended his thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense for generous hospitality and good reception of American Muslims. He also thanked the Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mohammed Benten, and the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call, and Guidance Sheikh Saleh bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for welcoming thousands of American Muslims who are performing Hajj rituals this year. He said in a speech on the occasion of Hajj and Eid Al-Adha, "We extend our best wishes to Muslims around the world on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, and congratulate all Muslims, including thousands of Americans performing Hajj rituals this year as one of the pillars of Islam. --SPA 16:05 LOCAL TIME 13:05 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w478724