Somalis celebrate Eid Al Fitr

MOGADISHU, Somalia, July 17, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Somali leaders attended Eid Al Fitr prayers in Mogadishu, Garowe and Hargeisa following the end of the holy month of Ramadan on Friday, Garowe Online reports.

Federal Government of Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who joined hundreds of worshipers at Isbahaysiga mosque in Mogadishu pleaded with Somalis to embrace unity.

“The prime importance of the people and the country is peace. We must together confront [challenges] to get Somalia in peace with itself,” Mohamud told Eid Al Fitr prayer congregation.

“If we unite for common purpose, Allah will shower blessings and prosperity upon us. Let’s forgive each other for the sake of God and work on the unity of our country,” he added during his address on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr festivity.

‘A region and half can’t destabilize Puntland’

At Mire Aware stadium in Puntland capital of Garowe, Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke and regional President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali were in attendance, praying to God for peace as President Mohamud.

Puntland President once again reiterated that Puntland’s existence is must and could not be put at stake at all costs.

“I want to tell the people of Puntland to lay confidence in the government, a region and half set up more recently can’t destabilize Puntland and we will brace up for everything,” said Ali amid a heated debate over the legitimacy of newly formed Galmudug administration.

Meanwhile, he expressed pleasure over the presence of Prime Minister Sharmarke as Somalis celebrate fast-breaking feast like Muslims around the world.

On his side, Somalia Prime Minister assured Puntland of his opposition to any act that would affect its integrity and boundaries: “We are building a country and nation and no side should be harmed in this endeavor. I hereby clarify that Puntland’s existence and boundaries are inviolable”.

He called on the public to tighten the security and cooperate with government on consolidating current progress.

In Somaliland capital, Hargeisa, Vice President Abdirahman Abdullahi Ismail prayed with hundreds of worshipers at Hargeisa stadium.

Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab group is known for honing apparently coordinated terror attacks, largely in Mogadishu in Ramadan.

Many government officials were killed in military-style ambushes, suicide bombings and attacks on soft structures.

Eid Al Fitr feast marks the end of the dawn-to-dusk fasting Month of Ramadan.

GAROWE ONLINE