Mufti of Komotini issues a message for Eid al-Adha

Ibrahim Sharif's Eid message is as follows:

"Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Next Sunday, 16 June 2024, we will have performed the Blessed Eid al-Adha.

As it is known, a holiday means a day of joy and cheerfulness. Since time immemorial, every nation has many national days and national holidays. Historical memories are revived on these holidays. Festivals always have positive effects on individuals and societies. As national holidays develop national consciousness, religious holidays also cause the development of religious consciousness.

Throughout history, nations have always had religious festivals. For us Muslims, when the Prophet (SAW) migrated from Mecca to Medina, the people of Medina had superstitious festivals. Our Prophet (SAW) abolished these festivals and declared that Muslims have two religious festivals in return.

Eid al-Adha is also called the Feast of the Pilgrims. Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is also performed on the same days. People who believe in Islam fulfil the pilgrimage obligation by circumambulating around the Kaaba-i Muazzama with divine enthusiasm and praising and worshipping Allah Almighty.

Muslims outside Mecca also gather in mosques to perform Eid prayers and supplicate to Allah. They slaughter their sacrifices and make the prayers that pilgrims make in Mecca.

Dear Brothers and Sisters
We sacrifice for the sake of Allah by following the command of our holy book, the Holy Qur'an, and the Sunnah of Prophet Abraham (pbuh) and our beloved Prophet (pbuh). Thus, the worships we perform and the Eid prayers we perform collectively unite us in worshipping Allah and in brotherhood. It reinforces the spiritual bond, unity and solidarity, love and respect between us. First of all, visiting our parents, then our relatives and neighbours, participating in their religious feelings and joy, extending a helping hand to them if necessary; to strengthen family, relatives and neighbourly relations.

For this reason, our religious days and festivals are instrumental in renewing our brotherhood, strengthening our solidarity, increasing love, unity and solidarity.

Dear Brothers and Sisters
There are takbirs specific to Eid al-Adha that we bring after our obligatory prayers. These takbirs are called "Tashrik takbirs". It is wajib to perform the Takbirs of Tashrik, which begin with the Fajr prayer on the day of 'Arafa and end with the Asr prayer on the fourth day of Eid. On this occasion, let us not forget to bring these takbirs after our obligatory prayers.

I congratulate your holiday with my most sincere feelings, hoping that we will always be able to reach festivals where we will always be enthusiastic and embrace each other."