Dear fellow countrymen,
I cordially congratulate you on the holy occasion of Eid ul-Fitr and extend my most sincere wishes to each of you.
Azerbaijan has always been one of the historical and cultural centers of the Islamic world, and for centuries the people of Azerbaijan have remained committed to their religious, national and moral values. In our independent republic, the freedom of conscience and the freedom of religion were fully ensured in accordance with local legislation and international law, with favorable conditions created for the citizens to freely practice their religious rituals, carry out ceremonies, and celebrate holidays.
As every year, our people celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan with the feeling of great joy. An auspicious month of Ramadan, in which the holy Quran was sent down, calls upon people for unity in the name of wonderful intentions and good deeds, inviting them to follow the path of peace, fraternity and equality.
In this month, Muslims get an opportunity to worthily do their duty of conscience and obligations to Allah and religion, experience the joy of triumph of spiritual and moral perfection over temptations.
Ramadan, which promotes unity and humane ides within the society, and strengthens love towards Allah and Motherland, is nearing its end. Our citizens, who honorably stood the test of fasting, delightedly share the festive joy of the holiday, with prayers said for prosperity and progress of our state and for the peace of immortal souls of our shahids.
Dear brothers and sisters,
I believe prayers and wishes uttered by you on these holy days will be heard in the kingdom of God. I once again offer my felicitations on Eid ul-Fitr to you and all our compatriots living in various corners of the world. May this holiday bring happiness to your families and abundance and prosperity to your homes.
May Allah accept your fasting!

Ilham Aliyev,
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Baku, 17 August, 2012