Eid Mubarak!

In the Name of Allah (SWT), the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Respected Community Members,
Salamun Alaykum,

On this blessed day of Eid al-Adha, I extend my warmest wishes of Eid Mubarak to you and your families. We praise Allah (swt) for His countless blessings, above all the love of the Holy Prophet (S) and his immaculate Ahlulbayt (a.s.).

These past days, we have witnessed the pilgrims of Hajj converging as one humble Ummah; softly setting aside the barriers of race, language, and nationality. Dressed simply in ihram, they stand in utter submission before their Creator, their hearts beating with a single purpose. This profound act of collective worship is a living reminder of the beauty of unity, the essence of taqwa (God-consciousness), and the quiet, unyielding strength found in sacrifice.

As we perform the ritual of Qurbani, the Holy Qur’an elevates our understanding of its true spirit:In the Name of Allah (SWT), the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

This is the deeper call of Eid al-Adha: not ritual alone, but the sacrifice of our comfort, our resources, and our very selves for the sake of Allah. It is the spirit of Prophet Ibrahim (a) – willing to give up everything he loved – and of Imam al-Hussain (a), who gave everything for justice.

For those blessed to undertake the Hajj, we pray that Allah (SWT) accepts their devotion and returns them safely to their loved ones. And for those who observed Arafat in Karbala, may our beloved Imam al-Hussain (a) be pleased with their ziyarah.

Today, however, our joy is intertwined with a sacred sorrow. While we celebrate, our hearts are shattered by the devastating plight of our brothers and sisters in Lebanon. Over one million mo’mineen have been displaced. Families who once gathered for Eid prayers are now scattered, without shelter, without food, without safety. Mothers hold their children close, not in celebration, but in fear. The innocent cry out in the cold, dependent entirely on your mercy and the generosity of donors.

The flesh and blood of our sacrificed animals do not reach Allah. What reaches Him is Taqwa: our willingness to give from what we love to help a displaced family in Lebanon. Your donation is not charity; it is an act of taqwa. It is the spiritual continuation of Prophet Ibrahim’s (a) sacrifice and the sacrifice and spirit of Imam Hussain (a).

WF Aid is on the ground, working round the clock with trusted partners to deliver urgent food, shelter, and medicine. But we cannot do it without you.

We appeal to you: do not let this day pass without acting. Give generously. Give as if you were giving to the family of the Prophet (S) in their hour of need.

While we serve through WF-Aid, let us also remember them in our duas. As Imam Ali (a) reminds us:

“… Indeed, this day has great sanctity, its blessings are hoped for, and forgiveness on it is anticipated. So remember Allah abundantly, seek His forgiveness, and repent to Him. Indeed, He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.”

Sermon of Imam Ali (a) 

(Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih, vol. 1, p. 520)

Let us renew our intention to live with true sacrifice. Let us stand together in unity, not only in prayer but in action. Let our service be sincere, our prayers embrace all who suffer, and our hearts remain devoted to the Imam of our Time (aj).

We ask Allah (SWT) to accept this small offering from us, and to grant us the strength, humility, and compassion to serve His creation with love.

Let us honor the souls of our Ulema, Maraji’, and all momineen who have departed to the mercy of Allah (swt) through the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah.

Eid Mubarak, and may your sacrifice be elevated.

Safder Jaffer

President