NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF November 07, 2011  PR No. 46 Press release MESSAGE FROM MR. ASIF ALI ZARDARI PRESIDENT of the ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN (On the occasion of Eidul Azha (7th November, 2011) Islamabad: November 06, 2011 President Asif Ali Zardari called upon people to adopt values of sacrifice, brotherhood, kindness and charity to create a tolerant and harmonious society. In a message on the auspicious occasion of Eidul Azha to be celebrated on November 7, he said, “I congratulate my countrymen and pray that Allah Almighty keep them safe and secure and bestow on them happiness of the two worlds.” The President said Eidul Azha is about following Sunnat-e- Ibrahimi and it is celebrated in memory of the profound devotion of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and exemplary submission of Hazrat Ismail (AS). “Our dear Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) declared the Sunnat-e- Ibrahimi as necessary for wealthy Muslims and made it obligatory as part of worship.” He said aim of this sacrifice is to create feelings of seeking submission before Allah and making a promise that “we will not hesitate to lay down our lives in fulfillment of the rights of Allah”. “Eidul Azha creates fear of Allah in us, which should be the goal of our lives, as it is the source of success in the two worlds. We should follow this message of submission to Allah and spread it to the world besides waging a Jehad (struggle) against poverty, deprivation and unemployment,” he added. The President pointed that nations pass through difficult times and the country is now facing issues of restoration of flood affected people, protection from contagious diseases, terrorism and extremism, “To overcome these challenges, we need values of sacrifice, brotherhood, fraternity, kindness, tolerance, peace, charity and love more than ever,” he stressed. He urged the Muslims to do away with regional prejudices and religious intolerance and work for progress and prosperity of the country and nation. “I pray to Allah to engender in us the true spirit of sacrifice as nothing significant can be achieved without sacrifice. Allah Almighty may keep us safe and protected,” the President concluded. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF November 07, 2011 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF November 07, 2011   PR No. 47 Press release MESSAGE FROM MR. YUSUF RAZA GILANI PRIME MINISTER OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN (On the occasion of Eidul Azha (7th November, 2011) Islamabad: November 06, 2011 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani urged people to not forget families affected by terrorism and floods and share happiness with them by helping them in their hour of need. In a message on the auspicious occasion of Eidul Azha to be celebrated on November 7, he said, “It is great benevolence of Allah that with his graciousness and kindness we are having another opportunity to celebrate Eidul Azha.” He said, “On this happy occasion, I greet Muslims of our nation and Pakistanis living overseas from the depth of my heart.” He said the festival of Eidul Azha reminds of a great event when for the sake of pleasing Allah, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) presented his son Hazrat Ismail (AS) for sacrifice. This event highlighted the reality that no important work in life can be done without the spirit of sacrifice, he said adding every big task needs the spirit of sacrifice. He said, “following Sunnat-e-Ibrahimi gives every Muslim the consciousness and awareness that seeking benevolence of Allah needs us to go through stringent tests in life.” “And this is the way which leads us to zenith of humanity and this is the spirit that plays a vital role in strengthening and honoring the tradition of piety,” he observed. The Prime Minister said the philosophy of Eid of sacrifice is to raise feelings of sacrifice and amity and encourage efforts being done for brotherhood and welfare of society. “It is our utmost effort to promote the environment of consensus and harmony among people. With our farsightedness and realism, we are working to serve the people. Collective good and welfare of people is the clear objective of our government.” The Prime Minister said, “We want to make Pakistan such kind of welfare and democratic state where people get economic equality and social justice.” To achieve this goal, he said, there is need to promote Islamic teachings based on values of brotherhood, love, tolerance, patience and compassion. “On this auspicious occasion, we should not forget the families affected by terrorism and countrymen affected by floods in Sindh and we have to share our happiness with them by helping them out in their hour of need.” “I pray to Allah to grant us capability to follow the real objective and philosophy of Eidul Azha. Amen,” he added. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF November 07, 2011