Eid al-Adha Message: Unity, Sacrifice, and Hope for Peace in Afghanistan

Message on the Occasion of Eid al-Adha 1436 Hijri

Keypoints: 

• Eid Significance: Sacrifice, unity, and brotherhood.
• Afghan Sacrifices: Honoring struggles for faith and nation.
• Hope: Ease follows hardship (Quran).
• Future: Build through unity and action.
• Overcoming Despair: Resist pessimism and enemy influence.
• Unity: Tolerance across ethnic and ideological differences.
• Progress: Advancements in army, police, education, commerce.
• True Eid Spirit: Submission to God and collective good.
• Global Solidarity: Support for Muslims suffering worldwide.
• Shared Responsibility: Citizens contribute to peace and unity.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

On the occasion of the arrival of Eid al-Adha, I offer my congratulations to the people of Afghanistan and all Muslims across the world. This blessed Eid, which coincides with the performance of the Hajj rituals at the Holy House of Allah, carries sublime messages of sacrifice, unity, and brotherhood for Muslims. It is my hope that through the blessings of these holy days, we draw inspiration from the unified ranks of Muslims of different languages, ethnicities, colors, and sects during the Hajj, and witness peace and harmony among Muslims, particularly in our own country.

Dear compatriots! The auspicious Eid al-Adha has always reminded Muslims of lofty religious and spiritual concepts, carrying the message of sacrifice, devotion, and selflessness. However, for our nation—which has experienced every kind of sacrifice and whose children still give their lives to protect the people and the security of their land—this carries an even deeper meaning.

Brothers and sisters! I know that we have given many sacrifices for our religion, for our freedom, and for the prosperity of our homeland. I know that poverty, deprivation, war, insecurity, and the various forms of injustice—products of the crises of recent decades—have hindered us from moving past this state and reaping the fruits of these sacrifices, which ought to be security, welfare, and progress.

According to divine tradition, and as proven by the experiences of various nations across the earth, we believe that after every hardship, there is ease; bright and happy days await a people who have suffered and endured pain. As the Holy Quran says: "Indeed, with hardship, there is ease" (94:6).

Let us consider how we can achieve a better future. No nation has ever attained a better future for free; rather, it is created through a conscious will and determination. This resolve is embodied in the unity of the country's elites, in the national harmony and solidarity of political and social groups, and in the hope and optimism of every individual citizen.

The first step is for us to overcome pessimism and despair. It is impossible to reach any destination by fueling hopelessness and dark thinking. The enemies of Afghanistan rely on psychological warfare even more than physical combat; they seek to break the spirit of our people to achieve their sinister goals. Keeping hope and aspiration alive thwarts a major part of their plans.

We also continue to need unity and empathy. Unity does not mean there should be no criticism or differing opinions. Having diverse plans and multiple theories among the children of a nation is not a problem; it is a sign of diversity and richness. However, wisdom is required to ensure this diversity does not lead to discord and division.

We must not allow divisive cries in the name of ethnicity, language, region, religion, party, or ideology to create a rift in the walls of our unity and solidarity. The fundamental need of this nation is to raise the pleasant voice of solidarity, brotherhood, and unity; only through this path can we pave the way for our country’s progress and realize our many hopes and dreams.

Distinguished brothers and sisters! Our hope is not based on illusion or fantasy. We have an army that is progressing. We have a police force that is growing. We have a developing security apparatus. We have an expanding educational process. We are laying the foundations of a commercial system that can be profitable for us and the region for decades to come.

Brothers and sisters! Eid al-Adha is a joy rooted in surrendering to the will of Almighty Allah and emerging from egoism and self-centeredness. When one's foundation becomes self-centered, they look only to their own interests, caring only for themselves and their group, and are unwilling to tolerate or accept others. But when the foundation is submission to Allah, one seeks the good rather than evil, and chooses the path of unity and agreement instead of division.

On this day, millions of Muslims from all continents—without distinction of black or white, Arab or non-Arab, man or woman—stand before their God and raise the voice of unity and brotherhood. We celebrate Eid this year while the fires of violence burn in various Islamic countries, where Muslim blood is shed, and millions of humans are consumed by the fires of war, discord, poverty, and displacement.

What result can come from destroying Islamic countries, hindering their development and progress, depriving Muslim children of education and excellence, and carrying out attacks on mosques, markets, shrines, and offices, other than the crushing and displacement of Muslims? At this very moment, as we congratulate one another on Eid, lines of women, children, elders, and youth are fleeing various Islamic countries. This situation reminds me of the verse by our famous poet, Ustad Abdul Rahman Pazhwak:

People say that Eid has come again, But for whom is it truly Eid? God only knows.

It is my hope that through the blessings of Eid al-Adha, the spirit of mutual aid, cooperation, brotherhood, love, and tolerance is strengthened in war-torn societies. Just as millions of humans have gathered at the Holy House of Allah without any distinction or discrimination, let us also join hands in unity and agreement within our own societies, choosing the path of peace and harmony instead of hatred, malice, and egoism.

Establishing peace and harmony is not solely the duty of the government or a specific council; it is the shared duty of the entire nation to work for the welfare and national unity of Afghanistan and to fulfill their Islamic and Afghan responsibility.

May Almighty Allah make this Eid a cause for prosperity and happiness for all Muslims of the world and for all of humanity. I pray to the Almighty for the agreement, peace, and happiness of all Muslims, and especially within our own homeland.