Nation celebrates Eidul Azha with religious zeal

PM urges people remember those who became homeless due to the previous year’s floods

The nation is celebrating Eidul Azha on Thursday with traditional zeal and fervour to commemorate the religious holiday. The day marks the culmination of Hajj rites at Mina.

Congregational prayers were held across the country to commemorate the occasion, and special prayers were made for the security, development and prosperity of Pakistan.

Additionally, prayers were also offered for the liberation of Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and for the end of the ongoing strife and corruption in other Muslim countries.

In a message on the occasion of Eidul Azha, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif urged the people to take special care and remember those people on the occasion who became homeless due to the previous year’s floods.

He said that he was cognizant that Pakistan was facing a price hike which was triggered by external issues in the shape of inflation and recession.

The premier also felicitated the Pakistani nation and the Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of Hajj and Eidul Azha, he prayed for the acceptance of all the religious rituals and sacrifices.

Shehbaz said the incumbent government was utilising all its resources to provide relief to the public.

On the occasion, the prime minister prayed for the peace and prosperity of the Muslim world and for the alleviation of the sufferings of Muslims across the world, particularly the oppressed brothers and sisters in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.

The prime minister observed that peace, tolerance, brotherhood and obedience to the commands of Allah Almighty were the messages conveyed through sacrifices and performance of Hajj.

Meeting such requirements through practical attainment coupled with pondering over the significance of the occasion and purpose behind it, would fulfill the real objectives of Eidul Azha, he added.

He said the basic philosophy behind the occasion was to sacrifice the dearest thing for Allah Almighty by showing sincerity and devotion.

"Equality, purging of oneself, purity of heart and sentiments were the outcome of such great sacrifice without which the actual spirit of Sunnah- e-Ibrahimi (AS) could not be attained," he stressed.

Shebaz also underlined the need of distributing the sacrificial meat among deserving people so that those could also share the happiness of the joyous occasion.

This Eid is called the “Feast of Sacrifice” to commemorate the sacrifice Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) was willing to make by slaughtering his only son, on Allah’s command. Now, Muslims re-enact the prophet's obedience by slaughtering sacrificial animals.

Earlier, the premier said that Eidul Azha symbolised the spirit of sacrifice, equality and compassion and stressed that a true observance of the ritual demanded of the nation to adopt a life of piety and cleanliness.

In a tweet on the eve of Eidul Azha, the prime minister extended greetings to Muslims in general and overseas Pakistanis in particular, who celebrated this holy occasion on Wednesday.

Shehbaz said that Eid fostered unity by reducing socio-economic inequalities and creating feelings of empathy and complete surrender before Allah Almighty.

“Eidul Azha symbolises the spirit of sacrifice, equality & compassion,” he wrote.

The armed forces of Pakistan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and services chiefs wished a very happy Eidul Azha to fellow Pakistanis, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated in a statement.

“Eidul Azha gives us a message of peace, unity, fraternity and selfless sacrifice for the humanity,” the statement said.