His Majesty the Sultan Offers Eid Al Fitr Prayers at Al Zulfa Mosque

Muscat (ONA): The Sultanate of Oman today celebrated the first day of Eid Al Fitr (1443 AH). His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik offered the Eid prayers at Al Zulfa Mosque in the Wilayat of A’Seeb, Governorate of Muscat.

The prayers were led by Sheikh Abdullah Mohammed Al Salmi, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, who delivered the Eid Sermon in which he gave thanks and praise to the Almighty Allah for His riches and invoked peace on the soul of Prophet Mohammed.

The sermon also touched on the values of fasting which, Sheikh Abdullah said, brings once closer to faith and good deeds and conforms with humanitarian feelings, thus maintaining the edicts of societies and encourages them to advocate unity and avoid discord.

Fasting also orients societies to espouse peaceful coexistence and urges them to overcome the denial of the existence of others and advocate the values of friendliness, recognition (of the other), freedom and dignity, said Sheikh Abdullah.

The sermon underscored the Sultanate of Oman’s status as a community empowered by faith, virtues and a long legacy of spreading peace among nations. 

Citing verses of the Holy Quran, Sheikh Abdullah said that one of the prime aspects of fasting is that asserts the premise responsibility which, he explained, is a value shared with proponents of other religions. He quoted a verse of Surat Al Baqarah: “Oh, Belivers, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you; perchance you will be cautious.” 

This aspects, he added, stems from faith oneness of Allah and the values of Fatih and good deeds. He explained that the concept of humanity of mankind warrants the values of mercy and peace, whose very essence is ethical commitment to what God the Almighty has ordained for upholding a sound relationship among the people of Fatih: “O People of the Scripture, come to a world that is equitable between us and you – that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah. But if they turn away, then say. “Bear witness that we are Muslims’ (submitting to Him).” (Surat Al Imran).

In the sermon, Sheikh Abdullah pointed out that the above-mentioned verses call for unity and equality and directs Muslims not to accord to caretakers the status of God the Almighty. He reminds all to observe moderation to respect covenants and pledges made to others, even if they did not respond to the call for Islam. He warned against the tendency to impose hegemony and domination which, he said, has led to the disintegration of societies, the recession of humanitarian feelings, the non-respect of human dignity and human rights, the lack of respect for human life and properties. These, Sheikh Abdullah said are negative actions that invoke affliction and strife. 

Also citing verses of the Holy Qur’an, Sheikh Abdullah, assured the faithful that the Almighty Allah will generously reward good deeds by a global set of benefits: “Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good works that He will indeed make them successors in the land as He made those who were before them successors, and that He will indeed establish their religion for them; that which He has approved for them, and will exchange safety for them after their fear. They worship Me and associate nothing with Me. After that, those who disbelieve are the impious.” (Surat Al Noor). 

He explained that, through this system, the five imperatives of human rights are safeguarded. At the global level, rather that the bitterness of hegemony, exclusivity and exploitation or religion, attrition, wars, and the clash of civilizations, the faithful should work together for the sake of humanity with the logic of good deeds and empowerment of areas of coexistence. It is only through sincerity and commitment to God, can these values be the basis of a global happy future and a happier and more prosperous life, Sheikh Abdullah observed.

Sheikh Abdullah said that Muslims constitute a large nation that possesses a deep-rooted heritage and civilization. In today’s world, Muslims need to direct their attention to the formation of a global vision that is accepted by the global community, so that they could contribute to the construction of a renewed future, by forging beneficial partnerships, adhering to virtues and shaping a peaceful world based on mercy, justice and equality. 

At the conclusion of the sermon, Sheikh Abdullah said that the goal of a Muslim is to achieve goodness and tranquility, mercy and prosperity and, in this respect, Oman boasts a solid faith in peace among nations. 

Sheikh Abdullah prayed to the Almighty Allah to support His Majesty the Sultan with wisdom and guard him under His divine care. He also prayed to the Allah to protect Oman and the rest of the Islamic world and to bless Muslims with prosperity and unity. 

After the prayers, His Majesty Sultan Haitham received greetings and welcomed blessings on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr from Royal Family members, ministers, advisers, military commanders and officials.

As His Majesty the Sultan left Al Zulfa Mosque, the artillery fired a 21-gun salute.

Along with His Majesty the Sultan, the Eid Al Fitr prayers were attended by HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs, HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said, Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, Gen. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Numani, Minister of the Royal Office, Sheikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah Al Khalili, Chairman of the State Council, Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of Shura Council, Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal Al Busaidi, Minister of Interior, Nasr bin Hamoud Al Kindi, Secretary General of Royal Court Affairs, Dr. Hamad bin Said Al Aufi, Head of the Private Office, Sheikh Salim bin Mustahail Al Maashani, Adviser at the Diwan of Royal Court, Dr. Ali bin Mas’oud Al Sunaidi, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, Sayyid Munthir bin Majid Al Said, Head of Liaison and Coordination at the Royal Office, Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of State, Governor of Muscat, Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Sa’eedi, Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Lt. Gen Hassan bin Mohsen Al Shraiqi, Inspector General of Police and Customs, Dr. Abdullah bin Nassir Al Harris, Minister of Information, Lt.Gen Said bin Ali Al Hilali, Head of Internal Security Service, Sheikh Sebaa bin Hamadan Al Saadi, Secretary General of National Celebrations, Vice Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al Ra’eesi, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF), Maj.Gen Mattar bin Salim Al Balushi, Commander of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO), Air Vice Marshal Khamis bin Hammad Al Ghafri, Commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), Rear Admiral Saif Nasser Al Rahbi, Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), Maj.Gen Salim bin Ali Al Hosni, Commander of the Royal Guard of Oman (RGO), Maj.Gen Musallam bin Mohammed bin Taman Ja’aboub, Commander of the Sultan’s Special Force (SSF), officials and citizens.