MILAN: Promoting unity, brotherhood, and selflessness among communities, the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Milan celebrated Eid Al Adha at the Chancery premises, together with the members of Sri Lankan Muslim expat community residing in Northern Italy. Eid Al Adha or Haj Festival holds immense significance for Muslims worldwide. The initiative taken by the Consulate General to celebrate Haj Festival in this manner signifies its commitment towards fostering the values of ‘unity within diversity’.
In her remarks, while welcoming the gathering, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Milan, Dilani Weerakoon noted that Eid-ul-Adha serves as a reminder of the profound lessons of sacrifice while encouraging to embody these values in their daily lives, such as relinquishing one’s own desires, ego and material possessions. She also commended the contribution of Sri
Lankan Muslim community living in northern Italy for their collective efforts in social, community and religious work towards the welfare and wellbeing of all Sri Lankans. The Consul General also emphasised the vision of the Government of Sri Lanka to build a nation in which all the communities live harmoniously through equality and mutual respect.
While expressing gratitude for the celebrations being hosted, the Secretary of the ‘Sri Lankan Muslim Community in Milan, Fawas assured that the Sri Lankan Muslim community in Northern Italy will stand together with the Consulate General in its future endeavours. He also emphasiz
sed the importance of coexistence and unity among all the communities in Sri Lanka, beyond ethnic differences.
Highlighting the values of Eid-ul-Adha, a group of children conducted a devotional performance for the audience. Many participants at the event nostalgically cherished the screening of ‘Minarets’, a documentary film that delves into the sound arts and song traditions of the Muslims in Sri Lanka, both past and present. ‘Minarets’ is Sri Lankan film maker Nadya Bhimani Perera’s maiden documentary.
During the event, a plaque felicitating the efforts taken by the Consulate General to make all communities equally inclusive and appreciated, was presented. The event concluded with the serving of an array of dishes traditionally favoured by the Sri Lankan Muslim community.
