Nation celebrates Eidul Fitr with prayers for Gaza

President Zardari expresses solidarity with oppressed Muslims of Gaza and Palestine. says Pakistani nation with you

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistanis are celebrating Eid ul Fitr today with religious fervour and devotion with large prayer gatherings organized in mosques, Eidgahs, and open grounds.

Special prayers were offered for national security, prosperity, and the well-being of fellow Muslims, particularly those in Palestine.

Strict security measures were also taken on the occasion to avoid any untoward incident.

President Asif Ali Zardari also held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and exchanged greetings of Eidul Fitr. They expressed best wishes for each other.

President felicitates nation

President Zardari felicitated the Pakistani nation and the Muslim Ummah on today's auspicious occasion . He urged everyone to show compassion and generosity and share their happiness with the poor and needy. In a message, he said, “On this auspicious occasion of Eidul Fitr I felicitate and express my sincere wishes to the Pakistani nation and Muslim Ummah.”

“I pray to Allah Almighty to bring immense blessings, happiness, peace and security to everyone on this blessed day.”

“After all the fasting, prayers and charity in the sacred month of Ramazan, we should be thankful to Allah Almighty for bestowing all the blessings and happiness on us.”

“During Ramazan we submitted to will of Allah and followed the principles of compassion and generosity,” he said adding, “Eidul Fitr is the day to share our happiness with others and show generosity to the deprived sections of society.”

“On this auspicious day we should help the needy, poor, orphans, and destitute and share happiness of Eid with them,” he continued.

The president said, “This auspicious occasion of Eid sends us the message that as a nation we are determined to overcome challenges, extend a helping hand to the needy, and are ready to work for a bright and prosperous future for everybody.”

“In our everyday lives we should make an effort to become a united and strong nation by showing brotherhood and tolerance and ensuring social and economic justice and mutual unity and solidarity,” he said, adding, “On behalf of the Pakistan nation, I want to give the message to the oppressed Muslims of Gaza and Palestine that the whole Pakistani nation expresses solidarity with you.”

He said, “We impress upon the international community to ensure immediate peace in Gaza and provision of assistance to the Palestinians. The oppression, barbarity, and genocide by Israel is the gravest violation of human rights.”

Zaradi further added, “On this occasion of happiness, we should also not forget the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”

He assured that the whole Pakistani nation stood with Kashmiri brothers and sisters.

Pakistan would continue moral, diplomatic, and political support to Kashmiris for the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute according to the United Nations resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people, he added.

“On the occasion of this blessed day, I pray for the welfare and prosperity of every Pakistani and the whole Muslim Ummah. May Allah Almighty shower His blessings on our nation, and keep us on the path of righteousness and bless us with unity, peace, and prosperity. Ameen!” the president added.

PM’s pledge to make Pakistan ‘Islamic welfare’

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered Eidul Fitr prayers in Lahore on Wednesday.

He made a special prayer for the progress and prosperity of the country and the nation and the solidarity of Muslim Ummah.

After offering the Eid prayers, he exchanged Eid greetings with people.

The PM extended his heartfelt greetings to his countrymen and the entire Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of Eidul Fitr and asked everyone to help the least fortunate among them.

In a message, he said, “On the auspicious occasion of Eidul Fitr, I extend my heartfelt greetings to my countrymen and the entire Muslim Ummah. This day marks the end of Ramazan, a month of immense blessings, spiritual growth, forgiveness, patience, tolerance, and resilience.”

“The underlying message of Eid is that of solidarity, compassion, generosity, and harmony, and inspires us to build a peaceful and prosperous society. While we enjoy the celebratory delight of this great occasion, we must not forget the least fortunate amongst us. I appeal to you to help those around you who deserve our support so that they can also share the joys of this occasion.”

“On this day, let us also remember those martyrs who have sacrificed their lives so that the nation lives in peace and tranquility,” the prime minister remarked.

“We salute our gallant veterans who work tirelessly to protect our borders, maintain internal security, and contribute to peacekeeping missions abroad. They deserve our utmost respect and recognition.”

He also urged Muslims around the world to remember their Palestinian and Kashmiri brothers and sisters who were facing the worst kind of atrocities of the occupation forces and they will be constrained to enjoy the joys of Eid.

“We all pray to Almighty Allah to ease their difficulties.”

“May the underlying meaning and significance of Islam spread among us all as a guide to the emancipation of humanity and may the world be filled with peace and harmony. Ameen,” he added.

Later talking to the media, he said while celebrating Eid, the nation should remember those brothers and sisters who needed help.

He asked the nation to pledge to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state according to the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

“Let us reaffirm to take care of those who need our kindness and let us raise our voice in support of oppressed Kashmiris and Palestinians whose blood is being shed even today,” he added.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Hamza Shehbaz also offered prayers along with the prime minister.

Prayer gatherings held across country

In Islamabad, a large gathering of Eid prayers was held at Shah Faisal Mosque, where the Secretary General of the Islamic Association of Islam, Dr Muhammad bin Abdul Kareem Al-Eisa, led the prayers.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori offered Eid prayers at Polo Ground Karachi, while Mufti Taqi Usmani presided over the congregation at Nazimabad Eidgah.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and the deputy mayor, the UAE consul general, ambassadors of various Muslim countries, and former Karachi mayor Waseem Akhtar also reached the Polo Ground to offer Eid prayers.

In Lahore, the historic Badshahi Masjid witnessed one of the largest Eid gatherings in the country, where Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman offered Eid prayers