ISLAMABAD, Nov 28 (APP): Following is the English rendering of the message of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha being celebrated on Saturday.

TEXT BEGINS:

“Very thanks to Allah, The Merciful, Who once more provided us the opportunity to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha. Around one and half billion Muslims from across the world are celebrating this festival with traditional religious fervour.

I present my heartiest felicitations to the Islamic Ummah, particularly the Muslims of our dear country.

This festival reminds us of the memories of the historic incident when Hazrat Ibrahim Alaih Al-Salam, on the command of Allah, do not hesitate from sacrificing his son Hazrat Ismail Alaih Al-Salam and his chosen son to bowed his head to the will of Allah.

This day and the sacrifice is the commitment of selflessness for the Muslims. [This historic incident] also presents the model of principled approach and the height of character.

According to the sayings of Allah Almighty, the sacrifice is aimed at achieving piousness and high deeds, which always keeps the Muslims endowed with the spirit of sacrificing their lives, and demonstrating courage and boldness for the fulfillment of the command of Allah.

In the backdrop of this country’s circumstances and the challenges faced by Muslim Ummah, the people bestowed with thought and intellect are right in their feeling that the spirit of sacrifice, and selflessness and steadfastness is much needed today than ever before. For national solidarity, integrity, unity and development, we will have to give the preference to national and country’s interests on personal ones.

We will have to promote the course of national unity and development, and highlight the true spirit of Islam by creating the environment of mutual affection, harmony and brotherhood.

Today our dear country is confronted with terrorism and militancy. These handful of elements, by using the sacred name of Islam, are engaged in such activities which are contrary to the true teachings of Islam, which is an ever-lasting religion of truth and peace. These elements, by the dint of force, are bent upon to impose on us the system of their choice, whereas the whole Muslim Ummah is opposed to their thoughts and acts.

The people know that the military action in Swat, Bajaur and Waziristan was taken under the inevitable decisions and measures, which affected thousands of fellow countrymen. We have to console these people, and put the country on the path of development by creating the environment of peace and harmony.

Islam is a religion of peace and tranquility and we have to spread this message across the world.

Being Muslim we are duty-bound to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice and selflessness in our daily life in a way that it reflects in our collective and national life.

Let us include those fellow countrymen as well in our joys on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, who deserve our financial and moral support. We must remember and extend every possible help to those courageous, honorable and patriotic fellow countrymen, who suffered at the hands of terrorists for the country and nation, and left their homes and sacrificed their today for the future of nation.

I wish and pray that Allah Almighty bestow us with real pleasures of Eid-ul-Azha and guide us in understanding the great religious act of sacrifice in its true perspective.”