Srinagar: National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday greeted the people of the State and the entire Muslim fraternity on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. Praying for peace, stability and prosperity in the State, Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, in a press release, said that Eid was a special occasion to remember the lesser privileged, destitute and downtrodden and to share our joy with them.
Highlighting the spirit of sacrifice and selflessness that is epitomized by Eid-ul-Azha, NC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah said it was important to remember families, especially children who had lost their near and dear ones to violence.
“Eid-ul-Azha is a special occasion for all of us to dedicate ourselves to the service of our people and to work earnestly to resolve issues that continue to adversely affect their lives”, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Mr. Omar Abdullah said in their message.
Senior National Conference Leaders including NC General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, Additional General Secretary Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Provincial Presidents Nasir Aslam Wani, Devender Singh Rana and party legislators and functionaries have also extended warm greetings on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami also extended greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Eid.
Wishing all a happy and prosperous Eid, Tarigami said he hopes this festival of joy and happiness will usher peace and prosperity to the world especially to people of Jammu and Kashmir. “May this festival strengthen mutual goodwill and inspire each one of us to follow the path of love, friendship, harmony and peace in the state,” he said, in his Eid message.
In his Eid message, extending his Eid Greetings to the Muslim Ummah in general and the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir in particular, Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (G)Syed Ali Geelani made a fervent appeal the masses to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with simplicity and austerity and asked affluent families of the State to take care of “the needy, orphans, widows, elderly and families of martyrs and prisoners”.
In a press release issued here, Geelani said that Eid was an occasion of happiness and celebration, however, Eid of ‘suppressed nations’ was when they achieve complete freedom from ‘enforced occupation’.
“Eid is not just a formal custom, instead an auspicious day and a divine gift from almighty Allah for people who offer sacrifices of animals and perform Hajj on this holly Festival,” Geelani was quoted as saying while assuring people that “dawn of freedom will rise and we will emerge as a free nation”.
Appealing people to celebrate the Eid with austerity and simplicity and according to the Islamic principles, Geelani said that it was an occasion for seeking forgiveness from the Almighty Allah and a Thanksgiving Day for the people.
Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema patron and All Parties Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also extended greetings to the entire Muslim Ummah including the people of Jammu and Kashmir, on the auspicious occasion of Eid ul Azha stating that the occasion had great significance as it reminded the people of the courage and patience shown by the Prophet Ibraheem (AS) and Ismaeel (AS).
“In J&K, Eid ul Azha has come at a time when there is an all out assault our identity and citizenship rights as anti-Kashmir forces are trying their level best to change the majority character and disputed nature of the State,” Mirwaiz said in a press release adding that people of J&K irrespective of cast creed, region must take a pledge to protect state subject law and to remain steadfast to foil all bids aimed at changing the demography of the State. “On this auspicious occasion, people of state must vow to take the ongoing freedom struggle,” he said counseling people to refrain from ‘extravaganza’ and to observe Eid with austerity. He appealed well to do people to help poor and destitute and also the victims of “Delhi’s aggression” in Kashmir so that they too can celebrate Eid.
Mirwaiz also hailed the courage and resilience of Kashmiri political prisoners who are languishing in various jails in and outside the State.
