Prince Hassan on Eid al-Adha: Rituals and reflections

"Every nation has its own holidays tied to its culture, beliefs, history, and identity. Some holidays unite the entire nation, like Eid al-Adha, which instills in our hearts that we are one nation sharing joys, feelings, and emotions, as well as our rituals and worship: 'Indeed this, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so fear Me' (Surah Al-Mu’minun: 52).

The pillars of this nation were solidified, and its political and cultural face was embodied in the Charter of Medina, characterized by openness to different faiths, respect for the religious freedom of the People of the Book, the sovereignty of Sharia, and the suppression of tribal revenge in building a state of justice and human dignity. To achieve scientific and knowledge-based progress in this world, we must prepare and set our goals clearly, or else our efforts will be in vain. Our awareness of our history and identity forms the basis for reviving the values of moderation and the civilizational meanings established by the Charter of Medina, enabling us to play the hoped-for global role. Our understanding of our past and present affects our awareness of our issues and our approach.

Reviving moderation has political and cultural dimensions for the concept of a 'middle nation,' accommodating diversity and fostering creativity. Geographically, our nation lies at the center of the world, between Eurasia and Europe, which encourages us to develop the Arab and Islamic middle region and remember the historical ties of the Levant with the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, and Iraq. We must aim for balance in all our affairs and resist divisive rhetoric.

Eid al-Adha is linked to the pilgrimage to the sacred house of Allah. This journey, filled with meanings of devotion, sacrifice, and humility, inspires believers through their observations. Just as the Kaaba is at the heart of the Haram, the believer stands among nations, avoiding extremism and arrogance.

The pilgrimage reminds us of the importance of connecting the paths of pilgrimage with the paths of ideas to bring nations and peoples closer together. Sacred cities are spiritual, cultural, and commercial centers that link religious and economic aspects. The builders of Islamic civilization understood that developing the earth is a form of worship, leading to the establishment of markets along the pilgrimage routes, known as the Silk Road. They combined spiritual elevation with sustainable development by opening markets to combat poverty and hunger, reflecting the Quranic verse: 'That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor' (Al-Hajj: 28).

Today, what we witness in our Arab Islamic East is not a clash of civilizations or cultures but a conflict over the essence of culture. This is manifested in 'cultural genocide,' which involves deadly aggression against groups with ethnic, religious, political, and cultural roots, as seen in Palestine, where efforts to erase the memory of the land include systematic killing and destruction of entire neighborhoods. The aggression on Gaza has destroyed all slogans of sustainable development, especially 'leaving no one behind,' with Israeli Occupation policies depriving Gaza's residents of life's essentials in a true act of terror.

Our primary issue is not linking things to absolute truths, highlighting the importance of semantics. We face over 70 years of occupation of our cherished Jerusalem, encircled by settlements and cantons, uprooting its people and replacing them with Jewish settlers through laws like the 'Absentees' Property Law' and the 'Planning and Building Law,' alongside increasing settler violence.

If religious doctrine justifies the Occupation's actions, contradicting any claims of a desire for peaceful negotiations, it's because the state's founder saw it as an extension of Europe. On Eid al-Adha, we affirm our connection to a global civilization and our belief in the Lord of the Worlds. We must not let external strife erode us and should listen to our youth at home and abroad. Islamic perspective unifies the nation while respecting minorities, whereas their approach gathers minorities.

Eid al-Adha reminds us that trials, coupled with patience and surrender, lead to relief and victory. Prophet Ibrahim, an old man, was blessed with Ismail, whom he deeply loved. The trial came to leave Ismail and his mother in a barren valley, and when Ismail grew older, the command came to sacrifice him. Both father and son submitted, but divine wisdom showed that true faith is to bring joy to God's servants.

Eid al-Adha's philosophy shows the unity and equality of Muslims in their congregation for prayer and the gathering of pilgrims on the plains of Arafat, with no distinction between rich and poor, white and black, Arab and non-Arab, except in piety. This unity should be the foundation for establishing a regional council from the East to the world, integrating the Arabian Peninsula with its geographical and historical depth in the East, and aligning the Nabataean and Nubian shields on the Red Sea's shores. This step is crucial for regional stability in upcoming UN conferences, emphasizing sovereign interdependence among regional states. Most world countries have recognized the promised state of Palestine since the Palestinian issue began. We recall the importance of beginnings and the need to chart the path to achieve our goals.

May Allah grant our nations continuous celebrations in obedience and joy, relieve the distress of our people in Gaza and Palestine, and bring ease to Muslims and Arabs worldwide. Eid Mubarak."