Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, also the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, congratulated Muslims around the world on the advent of the Islamic festive occasion of Eid Al-Fitr.
In a televised address read out on his behalf by the Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja, he hoped that the joy of this Eid would have been permanent, however adding that, the "painful reality of struggles resulting from slogans and factionalism in the Islamic world" have tainted this joy.
He blamed "the enemies of Islam and peace" for misleading some, who have been responsible for killing innocents and misrepresenting the true teachings of Islam in order to achieve their own goals and interests.
The Islamic community should not be quiet over harm that could be afflicted onto its people, wherever they may be, he said, adding that it was the duty of the Islamic nations to deal with these offenders, who have used religion as a cover for their "greed and desires." He vowed to take a "solid stance in the face of tyranny, terrorism and bloodshed and to prevent those who seek to trade security with fear and prosperity with hardship.
"Those are more dangerous, more effective and more entrenched than enemies that are out in the open," he said.
He also stressed commitment to the protection of the national security of Saudi Arabia, including its nationals and residents, from terrorist organisations who might compromise this.