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Prayers, festivities mark Eid Al Adha

ABU DHABI - Eid Al Adha prayers were offered yesterday morning across the UAE and the festival was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety, with Imams and religious leaders stressing the merits and essence of the festival of sacrifice.

While urging the faithful to reflect on the supreme example set centuries ago by Prophet Ibrahim when he offered to sacrifice his own son, Prophet Ismail, at the command of Almighty Allah, the religious leaders also emphasised the values of tolerance, mercy and benevolence which Islam has instructed.

Presidential Adviser Ali Al Hashmi underlined the importance of the call of the President, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, for tolerance, mercy and cooperation among nations. He also stressed the importance of Shaikh Zayed's call, saying that it was in line with the tenets of Islam.

Shaikh Zayed received at Al Bahr Palace here yesterday, General Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, who greeted the President on Eid Al Adha.

Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces was present on the occasion.

In addition to extending their greetings to Shaikh Zayed, the well-wishers also expressed their hope that the UAE may continue to prosper under his wise leadership.

Shaikh Zayed also received well-wishers including Shaikhs, ministers, senior military and civilian officials and UAE nationals.
Shaikh Khalifa also received well-wishers.

Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a cable of greetings to Shaikh Zayed and wished him good health and expressed the hope that the country would realise greater progress and prosperity under his wise leadership. Shaikh Sultan sent a similar cable to Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Earlier, Eid Al Adha prayers were offered in the morning by Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates and Crown Princes, Shaikhs, ministers, senior government officials and a large number of Muslims including UAE nationals and resident expatriates.

In Dubai, His Highness Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, offered prayers at the Grand Eid Mussallah yesterday.

Also offering prayers with Shaikh Maktoum were Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry, Gen. Shaikh Mohammed, and other Shaikhs.

In Abu Dhabi, Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, offered prayers at the Sultan bin Zayed Mosque in Al Bateen.

Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Lt. General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, Shaikh Surour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chamberlain of the Presidential Court, Major General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Under-Secretary of the Interior Ministry, Brigadier Shaikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Commander of the Amiri Guard, Shaikh Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Industry, Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Director-General of the President's Office, Shaikh Hamad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Economic Department, Shaikh Dhiyab bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Director of the Presidential Court, Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Information and Culture, Shaikh Omar bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President's Aide-de-Camp, Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, a number of shaikhs, ministers, senior UAE officials and members of the diplomatic corps from Arab and Islamic countries were among those who offered prayers at the mosque.

In Sharjah, His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler, and Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler, joined a large number of Muslims, including Shaikhs, members of Sharjah Executive and Consultative Councils and senior officials, to offer the Eid prayers at the New Badieh Mussallah.

Immediately after the prayers, the Ruler received well-wishers at Al Badieh Palace.

In Ras Al Khaimah, His Highness Shaikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler, offered prayers at the grand Eid Mussalah in the emirate. Among those who offered prayers with him were Deputy Ruler Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi and other Shaikhs. Shaikh Saqr received well-wishers after the prayers and exchanged greetings with them.

In Fujairah, His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler, and Shaikh Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Deputy Ruler, joined a large number of Muslims, including Shaikhs and senior officials, to offer the prayers at the Grand Mussallah. After the prayers, Shaikh Hamad received well-wishers at his palace.

In Ajman, His Highness Shaikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler, and Shaikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, joined a large number of Muslims, including Shaikhs and senior officials, to offer the prayers at the Rashid bin Humaid Grand Mosque.
In Umm Al Quwain, Shaikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler, joined a large number of Muslims, including Shaikhs and senior officials, to offer prayers at the Grand Mussallah in Umm Al Quwain.

In Al Ain, Shaikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region and Deputy Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, offered prayers along with a large number of Muslims at the Eid Mussallah in Zakhir.

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