High Commissioner's message on the occasion of Eid Al Adha
The Alnezy family from Homs, Syria, celebrate Eid al-Adha in a tent in Lebanon's Bekaa valley in 2013. Muslims celebrate Eid by morning prayer, visits to family and friends and a large feast. © UNHCR/Shawn Baldwin
It is Eid Al Adha and as Muslims mark the end of Hajj, I extend to you and your loved ones my sincere best wishes on this important and blessed occasion.
This is a moment of celebration and reflection – a moment that brings families together, in Muslim communities around the world and beyond.
My thoughts are particularly with the millions of people who are forcibly displaced, the families torn apart by conflict, war and persecution, many of whom have lost so much and who are often led to believe that hope is merely an illusion.
But, despite this, their devotion, faith and resilience remain unwavering. I am inspired by the millions of people, of all backgrounds, ages and creeds, who see beyond the struggles associated with displacement to celebrate community, understanding and peace.
It is therefore a moment to honour the extraordinary generosity of host communities. Let us also not forget the sacrifice and dedication of humanitarian workers across the globe who risk their lives in service of others. And, with a heavy heart, I also pay respect to the countless men, women and children who lost their lives in search of safety and protection.
May Eid Al Adha be a source of inspiration and serve as an opportunity for us to be united and to renew our collective commitment to help those that need it most.
Eid Mubarak.