Abu Dhabi, 8th Dec. 2008 -- President H. H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan today performed the Eid Al Adha Prayer at the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

Also at the mosque to perform the prayers alongside the President were HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister.

The prayer was also attended by HH Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Surour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, HH Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Interior, HH Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Emiri Flight, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian works, HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential affairs, HH Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court and Chairman of Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones (ZonesCorp), HH Sheikh Dhiyab bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, HH Sheikh Omar bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President's aide d'camp, H. H Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Finance, Brigadier Dr Sheikh Saeed bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Deputy Inspector General at the Ministry of Interior, Sheikh Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi and Dr Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Airways.

Also at the mosque to perform Eid Prayer were a number of Sheikhs, ministers and top civilian and military officials, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the UAE and a crowd of UAE nationals and resident expatriates.

Delivering the Eid sermon, Sheikh Ai Al Hashimi, Religious Advisor at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, spoke highly of the vital importance of solidarity among the Muslims for the sake of raising Islam's banner aloft and promoting the values of tolerance, goodwill, intimacy and charity.

He touched on the significance and rewards of the Festival of Sacrifice and urged faithfuls to communicate with, and visit each others.

He prayed the Almighty to grant the soul of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan peace and mercy, safeguard President H. H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other UAE leaders and bestow good health upon them and keep the UAE and other Muslim countries at peace and calm.

Later, Sheikh Khalifa and the rest of congregation visited the tomb of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan where they prayed for his soul and implored prayed the Almighty to rest his soul in perfect peace in Paradise. (WAM/TF)