SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Eid al-Adha

Honourable senators, I rise today to mark Eid al-Adha, an occasion celebrated by approximately 2 billion Muslims across the world.

As Senator Al Zaibak so eloquently stated yesterday, Eid is one of the most meaningful occasions in Islam. It is a celebration rooted in faith, sacrifice and devotion to God, but it is also a reminder of something that connects billions of people across different faiths.

At the heart of Eid al-Adha is the story of Prophet Ibrahim — or Abraham — a figure revered not only by Muslims but also by Jews and Christians. His story is ultimately about patience, obedience and love for Allah. Across the Abrahamic traditions, Ibrahim represents a shared spiritual inheritance that continues to shape how people understand duty, mercy and humanity.

That shared connection matters, especially today. In a world that often focuses on what divides people, occasions like Eid invite us to remember what we hold in common.

Muslims, Christians and Jews all believe in the importance of charity, family and care for the vulnerable. All three traditions teach the values of compassion, humility and responsibility toward one another.

For Muslim families, Eid al-Adha is a time for prayer, sacrifice and selflessness. It is a day spent visiting relatives and friends and extending generosity to neighbours and the less fortunate.

In my area of Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan, you can feel the general excitement as Eid approaches. We Pukhtun people are meat eaters, and the barbecues are fired up early in the morning after prayers.

For most, the spirit of Eid al-Adha is about supporting those in need. Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, the meat of the sacrificed animal, called qurbani, is traditionally divided into three equal portions. One third goes to the household, one third goes to family and friends and one third is donated to the underprivileged. I know that in Canada, specifically in the Greater Toronto Area, food banks are overwhelmed with the number of qurbani donations during this time.

The spirit of Eid is something worth celebrating. Our country is home to people of many faiths and backgrounds, and our diversity becomes stronger when we approach one another with curiosity, respect and openness.

Eid al-Adha reminds us that faith can be a bridge. It reminds us that understanding begins when we recognize the humanity we all share and that while traditions may differ, the values beneath them can still speak to one another.

To everyone celebrating Eid, may this occasion bring peace, renewal and hope for the days ahead. On behalf of my Muslim colleagues and fellow Senators Al Zaibak, Gerba, Mohamed, Ravalia, Yussuff and myself, Eid Mubarak.