ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari, extending his heartfelt greetings to the people of Pakistan, overseas Pakistanis and the Muslim Ummah, on the occasion of Eid ul Azha, said the occasion reminded Muslims of the spirit of obedience to Allah Almighty, patience, sincerity and great sacrifice demonstrated by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS).
In a message on the occasion of Eid ul Adha 1447 Hijra, he said Eid ul Azha conveyed that sacrifice was not merely a religious obligation but a complete moral message, adding that true success did not lie in wealth, power or outward grandeur, but in piety, sincerity, service to humanity and bearing compassion for others.
The president said, according to a Hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), the most beloved person to Allah is the one who benefits people the most.
The president said Eid-ul-Azha also highlighted the importance of sacrifice, tolerance, discipline, honesty and mutual respect in the national life.
He observed that nations became strong and societies progressed when citizens understood their responsibilities alongside their rights.
“The president urges the nation to uphold unity despite differences, promote love, tolerance and dialogue instead of hatred and division, and work for the welfare of weaker segments of society,” the President Secretariat Media Wing, in a press release, quoted the president as saying.
He also called upon citizens to respect the law, keep the environment clean and contribute towards making Pakistan a peaceful, dignified and developed country.
Addressing the youth, women, workers, farmers, teachers, scholars, traders, government employees and all segments of society, President Zardari said that every individual was a source of hope for the country and that even a single positive action, honest decision or helping hand could improve society.
He stressed that the darkness of despair could be overcome through service, knowledge, hard work and unity.
The president urged the nation to transform the spirit of sacrifice into a year-round way of life by promoting compassion, decency in attitudes, love, justice and loyalty to the homeland.
President Zardari further said the true essence of sacrifice required people to feel empathy for others, adding the joy of Eid could only be complete when the underprivileged, orphans, widows, the sick, labourers, persons with disabilities and other deserving individuals were also included in the celebrations.
In this regard, the president referred to another Hadith of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) regarding the rights of neighbours.
He prayed to Allah Almighty to accept the prayers and sacrifices of the people, bless them with piety and sincerity, ease the difficulties of the deserving and grant Pakistan peace, unity, stability, progress and prosperity.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said the spiritual occasion of Eid demanded that people, collectively and individually, take special care of the poor, needy and underprivileged around them and include them in their festivities.
He observed that the spirit of sacrifice, unity and solidarity guaranteed lasting cohesion and sustainable progress in the life of nations.
In a message on the occasion of 10th Zil Hajj 1447 Hijra, the prime minister extended heartfelt greetings to the people of Pakistan and the entire Muslim Ummah on the blessed and joyous occasion of Eid al-Azha.
He said the sacred tradition taught that sacrificing one’s life, desires and personal interests for a noble and sacred cause represented the highest level of faith and the hallmark of loyalty and devotion.
The prime minister said the spirit of sacrifice inspired people to rise above selfishness, narrow-mindedness and personal interests, and adopt compassion, selflessness and a sense of responsibility towards humanity.
He prayed that Allah Almighty may bless everyone with the true spirit of sacrifice and the joys of this great religious festival.
“Eid-ul-Azha reminded Muslims of the great Sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), symbolizing his complete submission to the command of Allah, and the unparalleled obedience and devotion of Hazrat Ismail (AS),” the PM Office Media Wing, in a press release, quoted the prime minister as saying.
The prime minister paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in defence of the motherland and in incidents of terrorism, calling their sacrifices a source of national pride.
He also expressed complete solidarity, on behalf of the nation, with the oppressed brothers and sisters of Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
He prayed to Allah Almighty to bless everyone with the true blessings of Eid ul Adha, accept their sacrifices and make the world a cradle of peace, love and harmony.
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