DILI, 20 july 2021 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, Francisco Guterres ‘Lú Olo’ congratulates Muslims in Timor-Leste on the Eid al-Adha Islamic holiday, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice.
Eid Al-Adha is the most significant feast for Muslims, not only in Timor-Leste but worldwide, said President ‘Lú Olo’.
Eid Al-Adha is one of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam (the other being Eid al-Fitr). It honors the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God’s command.
“One important thing of the celebration of this special day is distributing the meat of cows and goats to Muslims and non-Muslims who are in need, especially for those communities who are desperate for food to sustain their daily life. Thus, the celebration of this particular day will strengthen the value of beliefs, unity, fraternity, and solidarity among the Muslim community in Timor-Leste,” said ‘Lú Olo’ in a Statement, today.
‘Lú Olo’ called on the Muslim community in Timor-Leste to keep up the value of solidarity, generosity, and charity by helping vulnerable compatriots in the country: “These values are highly valued which are important for our national cohesion to unite all Timorese to become one people”.
“I respect the solemnity of the celebration of this special day to witness the spirit of religious tolerance by the Muslim community, which means that we accept and respect each other beliefs as it is written in our National Constitution,” stressed ‘Lú Olo’.
“On behalf of the State and my family, I congratulate all Muslims in the country on the celebration of the Eid Al-Adha.”
Speaking at the commemoration of the day, the Vice President of the Muslim Community in Timor-Leste, Abdullah Inácio António Soares informed that around 8.000 Muslims in Timor-Leste are celebrating the Eid al-Adha day.
He said with the commemoration of the Eid al-Adha: “I call on all Muslims in Timor-Leste to follow the Prophet Ibrahim’s footsteps to promote peace and stability in the country. There is no place for discrimination against religion, race, ethnicity, and so on.”
“Fifteen cows had been donated for the celebration of this special day, including a cow donated by the President of the Republic, Francisco Guterres ‘‘Lú Olo’’, one from the former Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri and others were donated by Pertamina International, Telecomcel, and Muslims communities,” Soares said.
Related news:Muslim Community Timor-Leste prepares to celebrate Eid al-Adha Day
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
