On the occasion of Eid al-Adha, politicians and religious leaders extended warm greetings to all Lebanese, particularly Muslims.
**Al-Baarini**
Member of the "National Moderation" bloc, MP Walid Al-Baarini, performed the Eid al-Adha prayer at the "Dohah" Mosque in the town of Fnideq, where he delivered the Eid sermon and led the prayers alongside the Mayor of Fnideq, Sheikh Samih Abdul-Hai. The sermon focused on the suffering of the people of Gaza, referred to as "the people of steadfastness and the people of the Quran, who have relied on God and not on any European, Arab, or American state." He urged families to monitor their children’s behavior to prevent increased crises and societal ills. In conclusion, Al-Baarini accepted Eid greetings in the mosque hall beside Sheikh Abdul-Hai and the worshippers.
**Al-Murtada**
On his part, Minister of Culture Muhammad Wissam Al-Murtada congratulated the Lebanese and Palestinian resistors on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, stating in a statement: "In Jerusalem, Gaza, and all of Palestine, in the south and some regions, the martyrs are making their pilgrimage to their pure souls, the wounded to their bleeding wounds, and the survivors to the ruins of their devastated lives. Yet, just like the pilgrims to the Sacred House of God, they continue to strike the enemies of humanity with missiles and drones, believing that salvation is just a moment of patience amid the pervasive pain." Al-Murtada concluded: "May this Eid bring blessings from God, granting victory and liberation from the devils of our time, so that Lebanon may be safe and Palestine cleansed from the filth of murderous criminals."
**Sosan**
Sheikh Selim Sosan, Mufti of Sidon and its districts, who led the Eid al-Adha prayer at the Bahaa Al-Din Al-Hariri Mosque in Sidon, noted that "today is a day of unity. If you look at the pilgrims, you’ll see that they are united in appearance, all in Ihram. They are united in their calls as they all respond, united in their direction seeking favor and mercy from God, united in their nationalities as they are all Muslims, united in action, circling, bowing, and prostrating to the One, the Unique." He questioned: "Will you maintain this unity to support your causes and solve your problems? And here are Palestine and Gaza before you." He emphasized: "We raise our voices high from loyal Sidon, a city that cares for the Muslims and the people of Palestine, affirming that the Palestinian cause is at the core of our belief, history, and heritage." He added: "Peace be upon you, O Gaza of dignity, peace upon you, O beating heart of our nation full of freedom, dignity, and pride, peace upon your innocent children, your loyal men, and the blood of your martyrs... Peace and healing for the wounded, peace to all resistors in southern Lebanon and the land of Palestine, and peace to Jerusalem, to the steadfast, to Al-Aqsa and the olive trees." Mufti Sosan extended greetings to "all free voices in all Arab and foreign capitals, cities, and squares," asking: "Is it not time for the world to understand and witness these new Nazi-like Israeli massacres, the genocide, starvation, and the parched thirst for weapons to kill?" He insisted on the need to recognize that "all this in northern, central, and southern Gaza and the West Bank is a crime of genocide and lethal famine. This criminal Zionist army, in front of the world's eyes, is shelling civilians in schools, hospitals, tents, and gatherings... killing children and women mercilessly, destroying educational institutions and places of worship, and assassinating doctors, nurses, journalists, and more."
He also sent greetings to "our southern families, to our people in the border towns of Lebanon, to those steadfast in their homes and farms, to the heroic resistors in the south defending dignity and sovereignty. A salute to you and peace upon your resilience, sacrifices, patience, and steadfastness in this legendary resistance." He noted: "We stand with you in every way we can—through words, stances, cheers, financial support, and supplication to God for relief and imminent victory, if God wills." Mufti Sosan affirmed "our national unity, coexistence, civil peace, and solidarity among people," calling to "adhere to the Taif Agreement without political heresies or Platonic interpretations, so that we might elect a president for the republic."
**Sheikh Al-Rifai**
Sheikh Bakar Al-Rifai, Mufti of Baalbek-Hermel, led the united Eid prayer in the town of Arsal, held at the Nur Bridges stadium, with over 4,000 worshippers in attendance, accompanied by MP Melhem Al-Hajji and various religious, political, municipal, and local dignitaries. Al-Rifai pointed out that "the united Eid prayer is a tradition of our noble Prophet, who performed Eid prayers in the open more than once, as it is an occasion to gather the greatest number of believers to congratulate each other on this great occasion that symbolizes sacrifice and redemption."
He continued: "Our message from the communal prayer conducted in Baalbek and Arsal is to come together to unify our words as much as possible, to work towards overcoming the divisions that weaken and disperse our strength. Our unity is not directed against any of our partners in the homeland but rather enhances the strength of our country and its resilience against the threats it faces at every moment."
He confirmed: "We stand with our families in Arsal and our Syrian brothers in refugee camps against all evil plots, discord, and marginalization. What we see directly and hear about the escalating issues in this dear town is significant. The state's and donors' negligence towards it, as one of the largest host communities in Lebanon, is entirely unacceptable. Care for it must be commensurate with its heavy burdens—a complete package, not piecemeal, from sewage to drinking water, health and educational institutions, and infrastructure. Our voices will be loud before everyone, from presidents, ministries to international organizations, and if we do not receive the required response, then we will have to deal with the situation as it arises.”
Concluding, Mufti Al-Rifai stated: "Our message yesterday, today, and tomorrow is for our patient and steadfast families in beloved Palestine, in wounded Gaza that is ravaged by a murderous, bloodthirsty enemy. Our hearts and prayers are with you, and we are fully confident that your heroics, the blood of your righteous martyrs, and the pain of your wounded will yield a victorious result for Palestine, Arabs, Muslims, and all free people of the world. Our trust in you is immense, and God's promise of victory is undoubtedly coming, and the flag of free Palestine will wave over every grain of Palestinian soil, God willing." In Baalbek, a united Eid prayer was held at the Great Umayyad Mosque in the city center, led by the former Mufti of Baalbek-Hermel Sheikh Khaled Al-Salah, where the number of worshippers exceeded two thousand, with Baalbek-Hermel Governor Bashir Khadr represented by the head of the governorate section Dureid Al-Halani, acting Mayor of Baalbek Mustafa Al-Shal, a member of the Higher Islamic Council Attorney Ahmad Wihbe, members of the Endowments and Zakat Fund councils, mayors, and city dignitaries.
