Rouhani offered his congratulations to the leaders and people of Muslim states in separate messages on Sunday, August 11, 2019.
In the messages, Rouhani expressed the hope that the leaders of Muslim countries and Islamic thinkers will use the blessings of the day to boost their unity in order to counter the unilateralist moves of the hegemonic powers as well as terrorism in the world.
According to the Iranian president, such unity can further promote peace and stability in the region and the world and strengthen justice and brotherhood among Muslim nations.
Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also offered congratulations to all Muslims on the happy occasion of Eid al-Adha.
“Eid is a time for unity. We again call on Muslims to prioritize self-respect in pursuit of our rights,” he said.
“If we don’t, outcome will be further attacks on our dignity—such as the proposed Humiliation of the Century,” Zarif noted, referring to the so-called US peace plan for the Middle East, called by the US administration “the Deal of the Century”.
Eid al-Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year (the other being Eid al-Fitr), and considered the holier of the two.
It honours the willingness of Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God’s command. Before Abraham could sacrifice his son, God provided a ram to sacrifice instead.
In commemoration of this, an animal is sacrificed and divided into three parts: one third of the share is given to the poor and needy; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbours; and the remaining third is retained by the family.
In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. In the international (Gregorian) calendar, the dates vary from year to year drifting approximately 11 days earlier each year.
