Nation Celebrating Eid-ul-Azha Today

Pakistan News: Eid ul Azha will be celebrated across the country today with a religious zeal and fervor and a renewed pledge for peace and brotherhood. Special prayers will be offered after Fajr prayers for peace, progress and prosperity of the country. The day will dawn with exchange of felicitations among the Muslims as they will share their sentiments of brotherhood, love and respect for one another while moving to the congregation places. Then they would gather at mosques at open places (Eidgahs) to offer prayers and commemorate the great sacrifices of Hazrat Ibrahim, the beloved Prophet of Allah Almighty. Special sermons are delivered at congregations to highlight the importance of the Day and spirit behind the sacrifices of the animals to the will of God. This festival reminds us the commitment of Hazrat Ibrahim, who on the will of God, offered the sacrifice of his dear son Hazrat Ismail. This act of Hazrat Ibrahim was so graciously liked by Allah Almighty that He made sacrifice obligatory to those Muslims who afford it. After offering prayers and hearing to the sermons of the preachers, they sacrifice their animals and share happiness and meat with their relatives, neighbors and friends in a gesture of love and brotherhood. Yesterday, Eid ul Azha was celebrated in Middle Eastern and European countries; where as in some areas of NWFP, including Mehmund Agency, Khyber Agency and Nowshehra, Eid was celebrated yesterday.