HM Sultan Qaboos offers prayers as Oman marks Eid

MUSCAT — The Sultanate yesterday celebrated the first day of Eid al Adha. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos performed Eid al Adha prayers at Sultan Said Bin Taimur Mosque in Al Khuwair, the Wilayat of Bausher in the Governorate of Muscat.
The Eid prayers were led by Shaikh Abdullah bin Mohammed al Salmy, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs. Shaikh Al Salmy began the Eid sermon (Khutbah) by Takbir (Exclaiming God is Great), glorifying and thanking the Almighty for his bounties and blessings.

The minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs said that Al Adha Day is a day of proving the strength of belief and persistence.
He added that Islam, as indicated in the Quran, is an invitation for good deed in will and woe. In will days we are required to thank Allah and in woe days we are required to be patient and trust Allah.
He also said that many countries are suffering from hardships which make them feel despair and disappointed. Allah reminds us to be patient and trust Allah’s victory at the end.

He also said that the hardships suffered by nations are tests for both believers and non-believers.
He stressed the fact that when prosperity is replaced with agony, prosperity may be restored again with right deeds and strong belief in Allah.

He added that a Muslim should neither feel frightened of the world or frighten the world. He is rather supposed to promote prosperity, peace and mercy.  At the end of the Khutbah, Shaikh Al Salmy appealed to Allah to continue blessings on Oman, to make us true Muslims and remain strong believers in Allah in will and woe.

He also appealed to Allah to guide and safeguard His Majesty the Sultan and grant him success and make Oman the country of security, safety, peace and tranquillity. He also appealed to Allah to protect us against envious people and mutiny and bless all Muslim countries.

After the prayers, His Majesty the Sultan received greetings from Royal Family members, ministers, advisers, military commanders and officials. His Majesty also thanked them for their good wishes on this happy occasion.

Upon the Monarch of the State departure from the mosque, the Sultan of Oman Artillery fired a 21-gun salute to His Majesty. The motorcade with His Majesty the Sultan then left the mosque amidst chants by his loyal subjects who appealed to Allah to safeguard His Majesty and for the return of these happy occasions on him for many years to come with blessings and prosperity.
The prayers were performed along with His Majesty by His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tareq al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture, Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal al Busaidy, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, Gen Sultan bin Mohammad al Nuamani, Minister of the Royal Office, Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh al Mantheri, Chairman of the State Council, Shaikh Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, Chairman of the Majlis Ash’shura, Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal al Busaidy, Minister of Interior, Shaikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah al Khalili, Minister of Justice, Nasr bin Hamoud al Kindy, Secretary General of the Royal Court Affairs, Abdulaziz bin Mohammed al Rowas, Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan for Cultural Affairs, Shaikh Abdullah bin Mohammed al Salmy, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shaikh Al Fadhl bin Mohammed al Harthy, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, Shaikh Khalid bin Omar al Marhoon, Minister of Civil Service, HH Sayyid Munthir bin Majid al Said, Head of the Liaison and Coordination System at the Royal Office, Lt Gen Hassan bin Mohsin al Shraiqi, Inspector General of Police and Customs, Lt Gen Said bin Ali al Hilali, Head of the Internal Security Service, Lt Gen Ahmed bin Harith al Nabhani, Chief of Staff
of the Sultan’s Armed Forces, number of shaikhs and dignitaries and citizens.

Meanwhile, His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, performed Eid al Adha prayers at Al Khour Mosque in Muscat yesterday.
HH Sayyid Fahd was accompanied during the Eid prayers by Royal Family members, ministers, advisers, under-secretaries and senior officials.
Shaikh Dr Ishaq bin Ahmed al Busaidy, Chairman of the Supreme Court led the prayers. He began the Eid Sermon (Khutbah) by Takbir (Exclaiming God is Great), glorifying and thanking the Almighty for his bounties and blessings.
At the outset of the Khutbah, Shaikh Dr Ishaq said that this is a day of glory and blessing. He added that this is the day where people shake hands and hearts become free of any evil.
He pointed out that Edi al Adha is the day where brotherhood manifestations are displayed and believers show integrity to each other. Muslims on this day visit each other, exchange greetings and feel that they are all one.

He stressed the importance of visiting family members, spending money on poor and showing kindness to needy and the miserable.
He pointed out that “Our Prophet used to accompany his wives and daughters to Eid prayers to listen to preachers and urged them to give alms. It is the way where all Muslims repeat one call, that is Allahu Akbar.”
He added that Muslims are required not only to sacrifice by slaughtering animal, but also to leave their whims.
After the prayers, HH Sayyid Fahd received well-wishers who expressed their sincere wishes to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos and appealed to Allah to grant him good health, happiness and a long life.
HH Sayyid Fahd thanked the well-wishers, wishing them a blessed and happy Eid. He prayed to the Almighty for the return of this and similar blessed occasions on His Majesty the Sultan and grant His Majesty success to achieve further progress and prosperity for dear Oman and its loyal sons in this prosperous reign further progress, prosperity and stability.
— ONA