King Salman pays sacrificial animal expenses for 3,322 pilgrims

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has paid the expenses for the sacrificial animals of 3,322 Hajj pilgrims at his own expense, Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The pilgrims are all guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit and are from 88 countries.

Most pilgrims are required to slaughter an animal as a reminder of the sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim was prepared to offer — of his son, Ismail — as a mark of absolute submission to God.

The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh considered the gesture an extension of the king’s generosity toward all Muslims.