Hajj signifies peace, brotherhood : President Sirisena

President Maithripala Sirisena extending his wishes to those celebrating the Hajj festival said the festival offers a broad example of the bonds between humans in a complicated world.

Mr. Sirisena said the festival was also a reflection of a "discipline to live in peace and harmony with believers of other religions."

The President's full Haj message is given below

Hajj signifies peace, brotherhood - President Maithripala Sirisena

 The Hajj pilgrimage marks the concluding event of the compulsory religious practices of Islam.‘Hajj’ means visiting a sacred place. This can be called as the global congregation of all Islam devotees bonded in peace and brotherhood.

It is a great honour to extend my felicitations on this occasion of performing Hajj religious rituals by all physically, spiritually and economically fit men and women. This marks the exemplary occasion of showcasing the transcendent relations between the humanity and divinity of Islam which is based on faith, fasting, concern for the needy, prayer and the pilgrimage or the Five Pillars of Islam. The Hajj Festival provides a broad example on the bond between humans in a complicated world.

I believe this festival which venerates God irrespective of race or the individual status of Islamic devotees coming from every nook and corner of the world, is a discipline to live in peace and harmony with believers of other religions.

I wish all Muslim devotees including those who participate in the Hajj pilgrimage centered around the Holy City of Mecca with the message of impartiality among humans and the Muslim fraternity in Sri Lanka and world over a Happy Eid-ul-Alha.