In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
My brothers and my sons—neighbors of the Sacred Mosque, servants of God’s House, and noble members of my people:
On this night in which I meet you after our great sovereign answered the call of his Lord—may God envelop him in His mercy—and the burdens of kingship have been placed upon my shoulders, together with the honor of serving and protecting the Two Holy Mosques,
On this night in which I have seen with my own eyes, heard with my own ears, and felt with my heart what your souls contain—your affection, your noble remembrance of your departed ruler, and your sincerity and loyalty to his successor in the leadership of your affairs—on this blessed night, I turned to God Almighty as I circumambulated His Ancient House, asking Him to grant me aid from Himself in what He has bestowed upon me of authority in His sacred land, and in what He has granted me of the honor of serving the Two Holy Mosques and hosting those who come to them from all parts of the world.
I turned to God Almighty with a heart full of good intention, asking Him to multiply for me the reward of that intention; to show me the truth as truth and grant me the ability to follow it; to show me falsehood as falsehood and grant me the ability to avoid it. I asked Him to grant me the strength to show gratitude for His blessings by obeying His commands and observing His creation with justice and care. I asked Him to make you the best supporters for me in obeying Him.
This is what I asked of God, and I share it with you in acknowledgment of His grace, and as a pledge I make before you—exerting all my effort to fulfill it, placing before my eyes, as I consider the affairs of the state, that I am mindful of God as though I see Him; and if I do not see Him, He surely sees me.
On this blessed night, I wish to extend to you my sincere thanks and deep appreciation for your noble sentiments and your loyal devotion. I ask God—who answers those who call upon Him—to grant what I have asked of Him, and to aid me in bearing the responsibilities of rule in accordance with the Book of God and the Sunnah of His Messenger.
I shall devote to your blessed city the greatest care and utmost attention, so that—with your help and cooperation—we may provide for the pilgrims who come to the Sacred House of God from East and West all that eases their performance of the pilgrimage in comfort, health, and dignity. We ask God to guide all our steps and grant us success in what benefits the Muslims.
Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.
Umm al‑Qura Newspaper