Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafeel, President of Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), headed the first event of Grand Hajj Symposium, which was held on Wednesday 4 Dul alhajia 1439 AH at Hilton Makkah Convention Hotel in Jabal Omar. Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah bin Hamid, member of the Council of Senior Scholars, imam of the Grand Holy Mosque and consultant at the Royal Court, participated in the first session and presented a worksheet on “Situations with Farewell Speech”. Also, Ahmed Ould Ahl Dawood, Mauritanian Minister of Islamic Affairs and Traditional Education, gave a presentation on the future of Islamic nation unity. Dr. Abdullah bin Ahmed Alhay, head of Shari’a courts, addressed the moderation and tolerance as a way of life.

At the end of the first event, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Benten, honored the session head and participants with commemorative shields.

Then, the minister inaugurated the Grand Hajj Symposium’s 43rd session under the title "The Honor of Time and Place ... in Tranquility and Security". It was attended by a group of scholars, intellectuals, writers and authors from the Islamic world. The two days symposium is being held at Hilton Makkah Convention Hotel.

In his speech on this occasion, the minister said that the symposium reflects the interest of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and HRH the Crown Prince - may Allah protect them - in spreading the values of Islam and strengthening the communication and cohesion among the thinkers and scholars of the Islamic nation. He added that the work and activities of the symposium are an extension of the great Islamic role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in promoting the values of Islam towards moderation and peace.

Moreover, the minister said that this symposium highlights the messages and values of Hajj through the pilgrimage seasons that feed these lofty values annually to all parts of the globe, describing “Hajj” as a platform of peace from the Holy country. It also reveals the dimensions of this great Islamic event in the consolidation of the purposes of Hajj, which is the familiarity and affection among Muslims and in accordance with the teachings and the grace of Islam, and how it is easy to reach the great goal is the Islamic brotherhood called by this religion.

The Minister of Hajj and Umrah underscored the role of leading scholars, thinkers, intellectuals and writers of the Islamic world participating in the symposium through their research, which focuses on touching the concept of Hajj as a religious and scientific gathering through which the cognitive and religious communication between Muslims from the land and the majority is established; referring to the significance of this event, which is kicked off from Makkah, in which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia senses its great responsibility in the service of the two Holy Mosques in particular, and the Islamic nation in general, and the Hajj to its end and great purposes in calling to God and gathering the word of the nation.

For his part, Sheikh Abdul-Rahman bin Abdulaziz as-Sudais, President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, in his speech, said that Grand Hajj Symposium is a blessed opportunity of multiple axes honored by the time, place and message; highlighting the participation of intellectuals and scientists in this symposium, which continues its 43rd year in accordance with a cohesive institutional work that is consistent with the magnitude of the event, which starts from Makkah. Furthermore, he referred to the importance of the symposium title, and the role of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in gathering the nation's scholars during the Hajj season. He called on the pilgrims of the Rahman to deal with the Hajj ritual as a fine-tuning of the souls and a reflection of the nation's reunification on the values of brotherhood and peace.

The Mauritanian Minister, for his part, and on his behalf of the symposium’s guests, extended his thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and HRH the Crown Prince - May Allah protect them - for the efforts exerted by the Kingdom to serve Islam and Muslims everywhere. Additionally, he pointed out that such conferences held in Makkah and in the Hajj season give everyone the ability to promote a global idea of Islam. In a paper entitled "A Future Vision to Unite the Muslims and Collect Their Word", he talked about the concept of unity in Islam, its manifestations and obstacles, in addition to unifying all Muslims and gathering their words.

Thereafter, Dr. Abdel-Fattah bin Seliman Mashat, Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, addressed the objectives of this scientific meeting in serving Hajj and pilgrims, wishing success to all participants in the Grand Hajj Symposium, and Allah bless pilgrims with a successful Hajj season and perform their rites to the fullest extent, under the continuous services and efforts of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques- May Allah save him.

He stressed that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has been holding the Grand Hajj Symposium in these days of each year, where the elite of scientists, thinkers, intellectuals and researchers from various parts of the Islamic world meet, and it is one of the means of investing Hajj in the benefit of Muslims in their religion and their world. He expressed his hope that this event reaps results of a pragmatic and methodical process serving the Hajj and pilgrims.

Sheikh Abdelaziz bin Mohammed Al-Hamdan, Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs Endowments, Da’wah, and Guidance for Publications and Scientific Research Affairs, talked about the efforts of Saudi Arabia in serving the visitors of Makkah and providing various facilities to enable them to perform Hajj in the midst of a system of projects implemented in Makkah, the Holy Sites and Medina.