Shehbaz says Islamic New Year begins with Iran-US peace breakthrough

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday extended greetings to all Pakistanis and the Muslim community on the occasion of the start of the Islamic New Year, saying it began with the announcement of a peaceful resolution of the major dispute between Iran and the United States and expressing hope for world peace.

Muharram, the first month of the 1448 Hijri Islamic calendar, began today, while Ashura will be celebrated on June 26.

Iran and the United States recently concluded a Pakistan-brokered peace deal, with both sides declaring an immediate and definitive end to military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. The development was welcomed by world leaders, who hailed the groundbreaking agreement to end the three-month-old conflict in the Middle East and praised Pakistan for its mediation role.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Prime Minister prayed that the New Year would bring peace and prosperity not only to the Muslim world but to all humanity.

“May every day of the year 1448 AH become a guarantee of peace and security, tolerance, mutual harmony, peaceful coexistence and protection of humanity across the world,” the Prime Minister said.

He expressed satisfaction that the start of the Islamic year coincides with the announcement of a peaceful resolution of the major conflict between Iran and the United States.

“The entire nation deserves congratulations for the success of Pakistan’s sincere efforts for peace,” he said, adding that the strategy of understanding and peaceful diplomacy was in line with Islamic teachings and the noble example of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).

The Prime Minister said that the new year served as a reminder of the great event of the migration of the Holy Prophet.

“One of the most significant achievements of the Hegira was the founding of an exemplary society and state based on Islamic teachings. This ideal state changed the course of human history and laid the foundation for a system based on faith, justice, equality, fraternity and service to humanity,” he added.

Read: Pakistan helped avoid wider conflict through US-Iran mediation, security sources say

Prime Minister Shehbaz said migration taught the values ​​of brotherhood, sacrifice, mutual trust, discipline, justice and collective responsibility.

“The lasting solutions to our problems lie in respecting these principles and the noble example of the Prophet,” he added.

The Prime Minister said the start of Muharram also reminded Muslims of the tragedy of Karbala, during which the Holy Prophet’s grandson, Imam Hussein, and his devoted companions, made an “unprecedented sacrifice with unwavering faith and courage” against oppression and tyranny.

“As the new year begins, we renew our resolve to remain steadfast in our support for the rights of suffering people around the world, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine and occupied Kashmir,” he said.

Calling for national unity and collective responsibility, the Prime Minister urged citizens to promote honesty, hard work, mutual respect and tolerance in their individual and collective lives.

“Through our conduct and actions, we will play a positive role in the progress, stability and prosperity of Pakistan,” he said, and prayed that God would make the New Year a harbinger of goodness, blessings, peace and prosperity for Pakistan, the Muslim world and the entire world.