Today, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov returned to Ashgabat, completing a two-day visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Information Program "Watan" of the Turkmen Television reported.
During his first visit abroad, the head of Turkmenistan performed the Umrah Hajj (small pilgrimage) to Makkah and Medina, the main shrines of Islam.
In the Muslim world, no distinction is made between Makkah and Medina, because these two shrines of Islam are equal in their significance. Every year, this metropolis, the population of which numbers more than 1 million inhabitants today, is visited by the same number of pilgrims from all over the world.
Everyone who has performed the Hajj here is considered a selected one, who has comprehended the mysteries of being a spiritual mentor for the rest of the true believers. 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 President of Turkmenistan. The Prophet's Hadith says: "After the Kaaba, the prayer recited in the mosque of Prophet Muhammad acquires a power a thousand times greater than other prayers." Muslims believe that the prayer uttered there will definitely be heard.
As a sign of reverence for the Muslim shrine, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, together with the members of the delegation accompanying him, performed namaz.
After visiting the holy places for every true Muslim, the motorcade of the President of Turkmenistan headed to the Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina, from where he left for his homeland.
A few hours later, the presidential airliner landed at the capital's International Airport.
Here the head of state was met by officials who warmly and cordially congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the successful completion of his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Umrah Hajj.