Spirit of Eid al-Adha helps cherish freedoms won through sacrifice by all communities – President

Monday, 7 November 2011 00:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In a message to the Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has stated that Muslims of Sri Lanka today enjoy the freedoms of religious belief, worship and practice throughout the country.

President Rajapaksa said, “In this, we have moved beyond the era of darkness that engulfed our land during an extended period of terror. The spirit of the Eid al-Adha would help them cherish the freedoms won through much sacrifice by all communities, says In keeping with the traditions of unity espoused in Islam, the Muslims of Sri Lanka have contributed much to the social, cultural and economic advancement of our country. Through many centuries, the Muslim people have lived in harmony with the other communities in Sri Lanka demonstrating their commitment to a united Sri Lanka.”

Full text of the message:“I am pleased to send this message to mark the Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, celebrated by the Islamic community at the conclusion of the period of the annual Hajj Pilgrimage.

Millions of Muslim pilgrims from the world over demonstrate their commitment to enrich their lives spiritually and obtain the divine blessings of Allah through the Hajj Pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca.

The teachings of the Islamic faith emphasise the importance of observing good ethical practices, the building of unity and friendship among people, and the leading of a life of devotion to religious duty. During the period of the Hajj Pilgrimage, Muslims make every effort to follow these tenets which can contribute to their own spiritual enhancement and the betterment of humankind.

In keeping with the traditions of unity espoused in Islam, the Muslims of Sri Lanka have contributed much to the social, cultural and economic advancement of our country.

Through many centuries, the Muslim people have lived in harmony with the other communities in Sri Lanka demonstrating their commitment to a united Sri Lanka. Muslims of Sri Lanka today enjoy the freedoms of religious belief, worship and practice throughout the country. In this, we have moved beyond the era of darkness that engulfed our land during an extended period of terror.

The spirit of the Eid al-Adha would help them cherish the freedoms won through much sacrifice by all communities.

I extend my warm good wishes to all members of the Muslim community in Sri Lanka in their celebrations of this important Festival with the joy of peace and tranquillity.”