February 15, 2003	Saturday	Zul Hijjah 13, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 14: The nation celebrated Eidul Azha with religious fervour and a pledge to forge greater unity to fight internal and external threats.

Ulema in their sermons of Eid prayers urged people to rise above petty differences and stand united to bring peace and prosperity in the country.

Large Eid congregations were held across the country, where the faithful thanked Allah for his favours and commemorated the supreme sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim Khalil Ullah (AS).

The Ulema prayed for the liberation of occupied lands in Kashmir and Palestine and sought Allah’s mercy to protect the innocent people who are being forced to live under oppressive regimes and are rendering supreme sacrifices for their cause.

President Gen Pervez Musharraf offered Eid prayers at the GHQ Ground, Rawalpindi, and exchanged greetings with people.

Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali called on the president at the Aiwan-i-Sadr on Wednesday to exchange Eid greetings.

The premier offered Eid prayers in Faisal Masjid and after the prayers he mingled with people to exchange the greetings.

Naval Chief Admiral Shahid Karimullah, Air Chief Marshall Mushaf Ali Mir and Vice Chief of the Army Staff Gen Muhammad Yousaf Khan called on the president on this auspicious occasion.

The president and his wife Sehba Musharraf received a large number of diplomats at the Aiwan-i-Sadr.

President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali received federal ministers, and senior civil and military officials: Minister for Information and Media Development Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Adviser to Prime Minister on Fiance Shaukat Aziz, federal secretaries, parliamentarians and other notables.

Gates of the Aiwan-i-Sadr and the Prime Minister Secretariat were thrown open for the destitute and disabled who had come to exchange Eid greetings with the president and prime minister. Elaborate arrangements were also made to facilitate redressal of their problem.

Several counters were also set up to distribute Eidee among the needy. Women including widows, children and special persons submitted applications seeking solution to their problems and orders were issued on the spot.

Most of the applications were for the financial assistance for the marriage of daughters, medical expenses and education of children.

Civic organisations had made elaborate arrangements for ensuring cleanliness in cities and to remove the offal.

Civil administrations and police had taken stringent security measures to avoid any untoward incident and armed personnel were deputed at all places of Eid congregations across the country.

Hundreds of organisations had set up camps to collect hides.

Organisations working for the welfare of destitute women and children, the largest being Edhi Foundation, SOS children’s villages, Faizul Islam, Rawalpindi Eye Donors Organisation, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust, Sughra Shafi Medical Complex, local mosques and madaris were the major donation collectors.

There was a little public transport available throughout the country and the people without their own vehicles had to wait for a long time.

Taxis charged additional money in the name of Eidee. The people visited graves of their loved ones and prayed for them. They also visited their relatives and friends to exchange Eid greetings.

The largest Eid congregation in the federal capital was held at Faisal Masjid, which was attended by ambassadors of various Muslim states. In Rawalpindi, Minister for Information Sheikh Rashid Ahmed offered prayers at Liaquat Bagh.

Karachiites offered special prayers for the welfare of the country and the Muslims living in other parts of the world.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad offered Eid prayers at Jinnah Ground where a large number of people from all walks of life were gathered.

After prayers, the governor mingled with the people and exchanged Eid greetings with them. Later, he met the dignitaries and general public at the Governor House.

In Lahore, the biggest Eid congregation was held at Badshahi Masjid where over 100,000 people offered the prayers, including Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool and other senior officials. After the prayers, Khalid Maqbool exchanged Eid greetings with the people.

In Faisalabad, Eid congregations were held at over 500 places— Eidgahs, mosques, parks and other open spaces.

In Hyderabad also, the faithful offered Eid prayers at over 500 places.

The main Eid congregation were held at Eidgah Thandi Sarak, at Eidgah Cantonment, Jamia Masjid Saddar, Madina Masjid Siro Ghat, Masjid Abul Fazal Abbas and Mehfil-i-Hussaini.

Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Muhammad Mahar offered the Eid prayers at his home town Khangarh (district Ghotki). After the prayers, he exchanged the greetings with the locals at his residence.—APP