Let’s embrace with a smile!
The greatness of a nation is evident in times of happiness and sorrow. The centripetal force that brings them together, and motivates them to forget the past and move forward is the essence of oneness, and this is what festive occasions like Eid and national celebrations remind us of. Eid this year has once again come at a time when we, as a nation-state, are in dire need of unity and that too with the express purpose of showing compassion. With a simple gesture of exchanging smiles and embracing each other on this day of Eid-ul-Azha, the whole nation can make a leap forward. This gesture and spirit is in need of being applied in all walks of life, especially among the estranged political quarters, divisive communities and aggrieved individuals.
Eid-ul-Azha brings with it a glorious lesson of sacrifice, and submission to the Will of Almighty. This underscores the indispensable virtue of obedience to divine commandants, and to unconditionally bow down for attaining salvation. Thus, by recalling the spirit of sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) and Prophet Ismail (PBUH), and by offering sacrificial animals, it is resolved to stand fast to the supremacy of Allah and to disseminate peace and harmony among the dwellers of all faiths. The uniqueness of this Eid is that it is enshrined in all religions of the Holy Books, and this is an added impetus to further reconciliation in a world that is increasingly slipping into chaos and materialism.
Let’s mark the day by burying the hatchet, and moving forward as a monolithic community. Let’s fix the broken alignments of society, and ensure that all necessary steps are taken to do away with hatred and sense of otherness. This day is not merely for Muslims to rejoice but to share the bounties with people of all faiths, who are surely a part and parcel of our proud national dispensation. It’s time to humbly submit and thank the Almighty for His bounties and blessings on us. On this day while embracing each other in good faith, let us be reminded that we are a pluralistic society, and we have a long way to go as we rise as a welfare state. A cordial Eid Mubarak to all readers!
Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2022.
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