Press Release
Date of Release: 23 October 2006
President Karzai Attends Eid Prayer
Arg, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, attended the Eid prayer held at the mosque in the presidential palace this morning and spoke to the media.
The President congratulated Muslims around the world and Afghans everywhere on the auspicious occasion of Eid Al Fitr and wished them health and prosperity.
Speaking to the media the President said “The Afghan people have suffered tremendously in the past months, their children were killed and their schools and clinics were destroyed. The enemies of Afghanistan killed two innocent children in the province of Helmand and killed poor workers in the province of Kunar. I express my heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims of terrorist attacks in the past months.”
The President also prayed for the soul of those brave army and police officers who were killed during the fight against terrorism and said “The people of Afghanistan will never forget their sacrifices and I am confident that their martyrdom will take Afghanistan to the place, its people desire.”
“The Afghan people will achieve their longtime desire for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan, and the day will come in which no Afghan will mourn the death of his/her loved ones. The Afghan nation, like other nations in the world, will live in peace, and become a prosperous nation.”
“On this auspicious day, I urge Muslim countries around the world to listen to the voice of the Afghan nation, the voice of pain and suffering, and to come to their rescue by ridding this devout Muslim nation from the menace of terrorism. Everyday the enemies of Afghanistan kill our people and destroy our country.”
Speaking about yesterday’s incident in Shindand district of Herat province the President said “I call on the people of Afghanistan, the people of Shindand in particular, to avoid resorting to violence and contain this incident.”
“The people of Shindand understand that fighting can only bring destruction, death and misery to them. I want to assure that the Government has taken action to contain the incident.”
The President in a presidential decree assigned a senior delegation to make an assessment of the situation, prevent the repetition of such incidents in the future, and ensure full security in Shindand district of Herat province.
The delegation is comprised of:
1. Mr. Muhammad Aref Noorzai, Deputy Head of Parliament
2. Mr. Muhammad Yosouf Pashtun, Minister of Urban Development
3. Mr. Mawlawi Mohi-uddin Balouch, Advisor Minister on Religious Affairs
4. Mr. Wahidullah Sabawoon, Advisor Minister on Tribal Affairs
5. Mr. Aziz Nadem, Member of Parliament
Addressing the opposition, the President said “I urge those opposition groups who are not linked to the enemies of Afghanistan and terrorist networks to stop destroying their country and killing their fellow Afghans and return to their normal life and live in peace among their countrymen.”
For further information, please contact:
Office of the Spokesman to the President
Tel.: 00 93 799 33 77 55
00 93 799 90 94 29
Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the President
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
