President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended heartfelt wishes to Muslims in Sri Lanka and around the world on Eid al-Adha, calling on citizens to embrace the values of peace, brotherhood and sacrifice embodied in the Hajj commemoration.
In his official Hajj Day message, the President said the festival recalled “the unwavering faith and unparalleled sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim” in devotion to Almighty Allah, with the pilgrimage to Mecca regarded as the fifth of the five great obligations of Islam. He noted that the observance offered “a profound example of the importance of human solidarity and mutual compassion” in a world increasingly affected by conflict and division.
The President said the annual gathering of Muslims from every corner of the world to perform religious rites together “irrespective of race, nationality or social standing” conveyed “a powerful message of equality and brotherhood.” He added that even amid the current difficulties caused by the conflict situation in the Middle East, devotees continued to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s example.
“The vision of our Government, too, is to build a compassionate and harmonious society founded on peace, unity and selflessness rather than selfishness,” Dr Dissanayake said, urging citizens to embrace the festival’s values as Sri Lanka moves towards a “developed nation where the benefits of progress are shared by all.”
Sri Lankan Muslims are celebrating Eid al-Adha on May 28 after the Colombo Grand Mosque and Moon Sighting Committee confirmed the date earlier this month. Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya also issued an Eid-ul-Adha message calling for unity “beyond all differences.” The festival follows weeks of public messaging from senior figures on inter-community recognition, including a National Shoora Council statement and the departure of the first batch of 325 Sri Lankan Hajj pilgrims on May 1.
