ISLAMABAD, Dec 31: President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have felicitated the nation and the Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of Eidul Azha.

In their Eid messages issued on Sunday, they called upon people to share their joys with poor segments of society.

The president said: “Eidul Azha is celebrated in the spirit of living tradition of submission and obedience to Allah, determination and sacrifice set by Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) who, bowing himself to the will of Allah, offered the sacrifice of his son Hazrat Ismail (AS).

“Today the country is faced with problems like terrorism and extremism. We are in far greater need now to promote and follow high values like spirit of sacrifice, brotherhood, mutual accommodation harmony and affection to overcome such problems.

“Setting aside prejudices, hatred and petty ethnic, parochial and personalised considerations, we should make endeavours for development and prosperity of the country and the nation. “It is our religious and moral obligation that we extend our generous support to vulnerable brothers, sisters and children.

“Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said: “I extend felicitations to Muslim brothers, sisters and elders, especially those who performed Haj.

“We celebrate the day in memory of the great sacrifice offered by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS) for seeking the blessing of Allah.

“They set such a high standard of steadfastness and sacrifice that it was ordained by Allah Almighty as obligatory for the wellbeing of humanity.

“The purpose of offering sacrifice is to enable us have complete awareness about the rights of Allah and the people.

He said that offering sacrifice helped promote the high value of altruism in society.—APP