Islamic New Year: PM Shehbaz offers greetings, urges support for downtrodden Muslims

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has offered his heartfelt congratulations to the people of Pakistan and Muslim Ummah on the commencement of the Islamic New Year 1448 Hijri and has expressed the hope that the year will bring peace, prosperity and stability to the entire world.

In a greeting on the start of the holy month of Muharram and the new Islamic year, the prime minister prayed that the new Hijri year may be a herald of peace and well-being for not just the Muslim world but also for entire mankind. He hoped that each day of the new year will contribute to global peace, tolerance, harmony, peaceful cohabitation and safeguarding of human life.

The prime minister hailed what he called the promising development of the new Islamic year opening with news of a peaceful resolution of a key conflict between Iran and the United States. He said the nation was deserving of accolades for Pakistan’s sincere efforts for promotion of peace and stated that discussion, mutual understanding and peaceful diplomacy reflected the real spirit of Islamic teachings and the magnificent example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif remarked that the start of the new year reminds us of the historic migration of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the beginning of the Hijri calendar. He said that one of the most important results of the Hijrah was the development of an ideal society and state based on Islamic teachings that changed the path of human history through faith, justice, equality, fraternity and service to humanity.

He said the Hijrah gave lasting lessons of brotherhood, sacrifice, mutual trust, discipline, justice and collective responsibility and stated lasting solutions to the modern difficulties lie in adopting these values and the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH).

The prime minister further stressed the significance of Muharram-ul-Haram as a time to recall the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his loyal companions in the Battle of Karbala. “Their unwavering courage and commitment to the struggle against oppression remain an enduring source of inspiration for Muslims around the world,” he said.

The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to support the oppressed people and urged for fresh resolve to stand firm with the suffering Muslims around the world, notably in Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and to continue to advocate for their rights.

The prime minister appealed to the people of Pakistan to play their due role in the growth, stability and prosperity of the country via their conduct and actions and asked the people to follow the principles of honesty, hard effort, mutual respect, tolerance and national unity.

He concluded his statement by praying that the new Islamic year brings kindness, blessings, peace and prosperity to Pakistan, the Muslim world and the entire international community.