PM, Acting President felicitate nation, Muslim Ummah on Eidul Azha

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Acting President Sadiq Sanjrani on Thursday felicitated the nation and the Islamic world on the occasion of Eidul Azha, praying to Allah Almighty to shower His blessings on Pakistan.

“I congratulate the entire Pakistani nation and the Islamic world on the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Adha and pray to Allah Almighty to accept the prayers and sacrifices of the entire Islamic nation,” the prime minister said in a tweet, the official news agency reported.

On this holy day, he said, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS) presented a perpetual example of sacrifice while expressing submission to Allah.

“Allah Ta’ala liked this act so much that He made it obligatory for the Ummah of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) until the day of Judgment.”

The prime minister said the sacrifice was not a ritual, but a universal sentiment. “Qurbani is not just the name of slaughtering an animal, but its purpose is to sacrifice one’s life in the way of Allah to achieve higher goals,” he said, adding that it was a fact that no nation in the world could progress unless it had the spirit of self-sacrifice.

“On this auspicious occasion, I offer my sincere congratulations to the people of Pakistan and all the Muslims of the whole world and I pray to Allah to shower His blessings on Pakistan and to reward all of us with His righteous deeds,” he added.

Acting President Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani said in a statement issued here that Eidul Azha is a wonderful symbol of obedience as on this day “we commemorate together the acts of obedience and submission performed by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) when he was commanded by God, in a form of a dream vision, to sacrifice his son, Hazrat Ismail (AS), which established such an eternal tradition of obedience and sacrifice that will be followed till the end of time.

This spirit of sacrifice has a universal status. No nation in the world can progress unless it has the spirit of sacrifice, he said.

“We have to work together for the development and prosperity of the country. We should keep all our interests, preferences and prejudices behind us. Now is the time to overcome all our political affiliations and adopt a common plan of action for the development and prosperity of the country. This country came into being as a result of endless sacrifices, tolerance and stability,” the acting president said.

“We should also take special care of our brothers and sisters who have been left behind due to the oppression of the situation. We should keep an eye around us so that none of our neighbours can miss out on the joys of this holy occasion. On this day, we must remember the creators, martyrs and protectors of the homeland who sacrificed their lives for the great cause of protection, development and uplifting of the beloved country.

“I pray to Allah Almighty to grant us the true happiness of Eidul Azha and accept our sacrifice with honour and grant us the ability to perform this great act of worship by its spirit,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of Pakistan, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and Services Chiefs on Thursday wished a very happy Eid to the nation.

A message released by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “Eid-ul-Azha gives us a message of peace, unity, fraternity & selfless sacrifice for the humanity.”

It further said: “Let us remember and honour Shahuda (martyrs) of Pakistan on this day who sacrificed their lives for the motherland. They will forever be etched in our hearts.”