Azernews.Az

President Ilham Aliyev has congratulated the Azerbaijani people on the holy occasion of Eid ul-Fitr, a Muslim holiday that marks the end of the month of Ramadan.

"I cordially congratulate you on the holy occasion of Eid ul-Fitr and extend my most sincere wishes to each of you," President Aliyev wrote in his message.

"Azerbaijan has always been one of the historical and cultural centers of the Islamic world, and for centuries the people of Azerbaijan have remained committed to their religious, national and moral values. In our independent republic, the freedom of conscience and the freedom of religion were fully ensured in accordance with local legislation and international law, with favorable conditions created for the citizens to freely practice their religious rituals, carry out ceremonies, and celebrate holidays."

The president said that as every year, Azerbaijani people celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan with great joy.

"An auspicious month of Ramadan, in which the holy Quran was sent down, calls upon people for unity in the name of wonderful intentions and good deeds, inviting them to follow the path of peace, fraternity and equality," the message said. "In this month, Muslims get an opportunity to worthily do their duty of conscience and obligations to Allah and religion, experience the joy of triumph, spiritual and moral perfection over temptations. Ramadan, which promotes unity and humane ideas within the society, and strengthens love towards Allah and Motherland, is nearing its end. Our citizens, who honorably underwent the test of fasting, delightedly share the festive joy of the holiday, with prayers said for prosperity and progress of our state and for the peace of immortal souls of our shahids [war victims]. I believe prayers and wishes uttered by you on these holy days will be heard in the kingdom of God. I once again offer my felicitations on Eid ul-Fitr to you and all our countrymen living in every corner of the world. May this holiday bring happiness to your families and abundance and prosperity to your homes. May Allah accept your fasting!"