Esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov completed a two-day visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and returned to Ashgabat on June 2, reports the State News Agency of Turkmenistan.
During his first foreign visit, the esteemed President performed the rite of Umrah Hajj (small pilgrimage) to Mecca and Medina, the main shrines of Islam.
In the Muslim world, no distinction is made between Mecca and Medina, for in their significance these two shrines of Islam are equivalent. This metropolis, which today has a population of more than 1 million inhabitants, is visited by the same number of pilgrims every year from all over the world.
Everyone who performs the Hajj here is considered to be the chosen one, who has comprehended the mysteries of being a spiritual mentor for the rest of the faithful.
It is quite rare that pilgrims have the opportunity to visit both holy places at the same time, and the current Umrah Hajj of the head of state can be regarded as a special honor and tribute to the respected President of Turkmenistan.
The hadith of the prophet says: “After the Kaaba, the prayer read in the mosque of the prophet Muhammad acquires a power that is a thousand times greater than other prayers”. Muslims believe that a prayer said here will surely be heard.
As a sign of reverence for the Muslim shrine, esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, together with members of the delegation accompanying him, performed namaz.
After visiting the holy places for every Muslim, the esteemed President went to the International Airport named after Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz in Medina, from where he left for his homeland.
At the capital's International Airport, the head of state was met by officials. They warmly and cordially congratulated the esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the successful completion of his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and on Umrah Hajj.