To the statesman of two shrines, to the King of Saudi Arabia Fahad Ibn- Abdul Aziz Al-Saud - Baku, March 30, 1998

In the name of God, most merciful and compassionate!

Distinguished votary of two holy shrines!

I am very much pleased to convey to your Excellency - to my dear friend and brother - my greetings and kind wishes.

I always remember my meetings and fruitful negotiations with you, held in your country in July of 1994 when I stayed in your brotherly country. The great hospitality, care and attention rendered to me personally, and to the delegation accompanied me, were the demonstration of respect and love of Your Excellency and the people of brotherly Saudi Arabia to the people of Azerbaijan. Our people apprehended it just so.

The decision on financing 250 citizens of Azerbaijan to pilgrim to Saudi Arabia in this year as a guest of Your Excellency and perform hajj was received with a great satisfaction and happiness. The decision, which was taken in the period when 20 percent of the territory of our republic is under the occupation of the Armenian aggressors and over one million of citizens have become refugees and displaced persons, live in tents in hard conditions, accords with the humane principles of our religion. The arrival of the delegation headed by the deputy minister on the affairs of Islam the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mr. Tofig Sudeyri in Azerbaijan is a proof that Your Excellency attaches great importance to this question. In connection with this I want to express my deep gratitude to your Excellency on my own behalf and on behalf of all the Moslems of Azerbaijan. I hope that this step taken by You will become a tradition in the following years, and will contribute to the further strengthening of contacts between the two brotherly Moslem nations.

Taking the opportunity, I congratulate Your Excellency on the occasion of the forth coming holy Gurban holiday with all my heart, I wish you good health, great success in Your work, good luck and progress to the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia.

My kind regards to you, let the mercy and abundance of God follow you!

Yours faithfully,

 
Heydar Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan