Azernews.Az

U.S. President Barack Obama sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

"Dear Mr. President, as the annual Hajj pilgrimage concludes in Mecca, Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to Muslims in America and around the world on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, and particularly to returning pilgrims on the successful fulfilment of a central pillar of your faith," the letter reads.

"We are proud that thousands of American Muslims have joined nearly three million Muslims to perform the Hajj, whose rituals serve as reminders of the shared Abrahamic roots of three of the world's major religions. In addition to those who made the pilgrimage this year, Muslims throughout the world will spend this Eid reflecting on their relationship with God and commemorating Abraham`s willingness to sacrifice his son by donating food to the less fortunate," Obama said.

"When so many people from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds overcome their differences in order to focus on something greater, it is a lesion to all of humanity that our diversity is a God-given source of strength that should be embraced. On behalf of the American people, we would like to extend Eid greetings to Muslims around the world during this special time and our congratulations to those who have successfully completed the Hajj. Eid Mubarak and Hajj Mabrour," the letter reads.