Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has, in separate messages, extended his felicitations to leaders of Muslim countries on Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice), which marks the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

In his congratulatory messages on Tuesday, Rouhani described the occasion as “the season of slaughtering worldly belongings, giving up desires in the way of the true beloved, and manifesting pure faith in and obedience before God.”

He expressed hope that thanks to the blessing of Eid al-Adha, all Muslims around the world would be able to achieve divine perfection and mercy by freeing themselves of the desires of the heart and sacrificing their lives and property to help other Muslims and fellow human beings in need.

Rouhani also wished health and success for the Muslim leaders as well as happiness and pride for their people.

Muslims traditionally celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of the most important religious festivities, with the sacrifice of animals such as sheep, rams, goats and cattle.

The act commemorates Prophet Abraham’s submission to divine order to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Just before sacrificing his son, God provided Prophet Abraham with a ram to sacrifice instead, after he successfully passed the divine test.

Also on Tuesday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif took to Twitter to congratulate all Muslims on the feast, praying for a world without terrorism.
Congratulating all Muslims on the auspicious occasion, Zarif  pointed to this year's Hajj being performed on a minor scale due to the pandemic, and prayed to God to rid the world of not just corona but also other viruses, which he described as "arrogance, coercion, terrorism—including economic and medical terrorism."


Felicitations to all Muslims on auspicious occasion of #EidAlAdha


As far fewer perform Hajj because of pandemic, let’s pray to the Almighty to rid the world of not just corona but also other viruses: arrogance, coercion, terrorism—incl #EconomicTerrorism & #MedicalTerrorism.

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) July 20, 2021

Iranians were expected to attend Eid al-Adha prayers in mosques across the country. This year’s eid prayers were to be held with strict adherence to physical distancing and other safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.