The whole of Pakistan today has offered Eid prayer with all its fervor praying for the betterment of homeland and solidarity with the people of Palestine and Kashmir. Every mosque of the country was filled up with those offering prayer while being dressed up with new clothes and giving charity to those in need of it.
After the prayer was offered sermons were delivered praising Allah Almighty and His Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and all the four caliphs and martyrs of Islam. The philosophy and significance of Eid ul Fitr was also highlighted through sermons and speeches. Besides Pakistan, this Eid was also being celebrated in Saudi Arabia, Australia, UK, and the United Arab Emirates. While Muslims of India and Bangladesh and countries like South Africa will celebrate Eid ul Fitr tomorrow (Thursday) as the Shawwal moon was not sighted there.
A special feature of this Eid ul Fitr right from the capital of Pakistan –Islamabad – to all the four provincial capitals was that Muslims offer prayers for brutally attacked people of Gaza and the occupied people of Jammu and Kashmir. Every mosque and playground today were also praying for the national security, prosperity, and the well-being of fellow Muslims, particularly those under foreign aggression.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif offered Eid ul Fitr at Lahore and prayed for the prosperity of the country and the solidarity of Muslim Ummah. The Prime Minister greeting the entire nation wished this Eid a happy occasion for everyone in Pakistan. He emphasized to remember those in need of help.
Besides he asked for making pledge to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal. Adding more he emphasized make a resolve to take care of those in need of our kindness and raise voice too in support of the people of Kashmir and Palestine under aggression. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Hamza Shehbaz were also present with the PM. The Prime Minister offered his prayer near his Model Town residence.
Faisal Mosque Islamabad had thousands of congregators including dignitaries and ambassadors from various Muslim countries, such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While Dr. Muhammad bin Abdul Kareem Al-Eisa, secretary general of the Muslim World League, delivered a sermon here urging for unity among Muslims round the world.
The historic mosque -Badshahi Masjid – of the provincial capital Lahore also witnessed the largest gathering of Muslims while Governor Punjab Balighur Rehman offered his Eid prayer here at this mosque.
Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori offered prayers at Polo Ground Karachi. Murtaza Wahab, Mayor Karachi the UAE consul general and ambassadors of Muslim countries also offered this prayer here at the Polo Ground.
The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur offered prayers in his native district of Dera Ismail Khan where prayers were also dedicated to the security and stability of the nation, as well as to the welfare and safety of Muslims particularly in Palestine. During this congregation security in the federal capital was beefed up to more than 2,500 security personnel to ensure the safety and well-being of worshippers. Just in the federal capital Eid prayers were arranged in 625 mosques and more than 200 imambargahs. Similarly, security arrangements were also put in place across all major cities of the country.
Meanwhile Jamaat-e-Islami after prayer also protested in support of the people of Palestine outside Faisal Mosque. Hundreds of people took part in this demonstration raising slogans in favor of independent and free Palestine. They demanded international community get Israel’s terrorism stopped in Palestine.
It is important to note that Eid gives a message of mutual harmony and solidarity. It marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. This Day spreads love and affection and promotes peace, harmony and brotherhood.
