KABUL — The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has called Eid al-Adha a symbol of unity, reconciliation, and renewed hope for a better future, urging Afghans to embrace the holiday’s spirit amid the country’s continued uncertainty.
In a statement released Friday, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) described the Islamic holiday as “a moment for profound unity and reconciliation,” calling on Afghans to recommit to compassion, peace, and shared efforts to rebuild the nation.
“The spirit of Eid al-Adha should guide all Afghans toward greater empathy, lasting peace, and a renewed commitment to building a better future,” the statement read.
UNAMA emphasized the importance of strengthening social cohesion and solidarity, encouraging citizens to use the occasion to foster human connection and collective purpose. The message comes at a time when the country remains divided on religious observance and strained by humanitarian and political challenges.
Eid prayers were held on Friday across the Muslim world — from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to Indonesia, Gaza and Jerusalem — as millions of worshippers gathered to mark the holiday. In Afghanistan, however, religious tensions added a layer of complexity to the observance.
Local sources told Amu TV that Taliban had issued orders to their provincial security forces to detain individuals who observed Eid on Friday — aligning with the calendar followed in Saudi Arabia — instead of waiting for Saturday, the date officially designated by the Taliban as the start of the holiday.
