Honorable brothers and sisters,

We are experiencing the happiness and excitement of rejoining the Eid al-Adha, which is one of the unique times bestowed upon us by the Almighty Allah (swt) as an occasion of peace and joy.

Being the symbol of submission to Allah (swt) and the most concrete manifestation of obedience and loyalty to Allah (swt), qurbani is a special worship that is going to make us be closer to the Almighty Allah (swt) and reach benevolence. The Eid al-Adha, on the other hand, is the eid of the hope, during which we yearn for getting closer to Allah (swt), and it the eid of our desire for acceptance of our worship.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Eids are the days that get us to interlock each other within the axis of common belief, history and civilization by making us meet with our innate nature and that strengthen our brotherhood. They are the times that turn life into a climate of peace and serenity with feelings of unity, togetherness, sharing and solidarity.

Undoubtedly, eids are going to have their real meaning only when they mean happiness for all Muslims and when the joy is experienced altogether. At that time, grief is going to decrease and hearts are going to be filled with affection happily.

In this respect, we should regard the Eid al-Adha, which we are contemplating together, as an opportunity of remembering each other, renewing our contract of brotherhood and strengthening our unity and togetherness. We need to take advantage of these days for appreciating the value of the beauties and values of our belief, culture and civilization.

First of all, let us praise the Almighty Allah (swt) for letting us rejoin this day in countless blessings. Let us utter our thanks to Allah (swt) for allowing us to have the joy of the eid. Afterwards, let us demonstrate the joy of eid, which we raised in our hearts, with our words and behaviors. Let us turn this eid into an unforgettable memory in our family members’ and especially in our children’s minds. Let us also be the joy of eid for, elders in our family, relatives, fellows, and neighbors, primarily our parents, who expect us and have missed our voices. On this occasion, let us re-establish our mutual loyalty and affection.

On the other hand, let us remember that we are the members of a nation that is the hope of the oppressed, the victimized, the orphan, the poor and the lonely people no matter they live in whatever part of the world. The good news for the emancipation of all oppressed lands that have been overwhelmed by the vortex of hunger, disease, war, oppression and violence, and that wait for a helping hand, is in our memory of civilization. Acting with this awareness, we should renew our ambition to work for being the joy of eid for each of our brothers and sisters who needs care and mercy, improving the earth, and ensuring the salvation of entire humanity and regain our determination for fighting challenges.

With these feelings and thoughts, I would like to congratulate the Eid al-Adha of our dear nation, our citizens and cognates abroad, and all of our Muslim brothers and sisters with my sincerest feelings. I commemorate all of our martyrs who entrusted us this heavenly land where we live in peace. May the Almighty Allah (swt) make this Eid al-Adha, which we are contemplating, an occasion for peace, tranquility and happiness of humanity.

Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş

President Presidency of Religious Affairs