President Ebrahim Raeisi of the Islamic Republic of Iran has extended his congratulations to the leaders and nations of Muslim countries on the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Fitr, urging more unity and cooperation.

In separate messages on Friday, Raeisi said Eid al-Fitr is the feast of returning to human beings’ nature and the time of pride and joy for the fasting and faithful peoples.

He expressed hope that with the blessing of this auspicious Eid, adherence to the great teachings of Islam and joint efforts, Muslim countries would improve unity, solidarity and cooperation to realize the ideals of the life-giving religion.

Millions of people in more than a dozen Muslim countries on Friday celebrated Eid al-Fitr, marking the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan after the new moon of the lunar calendar month of Shawwal was sighted the previous night.

Muslim worshipers, who had fasted for a month, took part in Eid prayers in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Sudan, Syria, the Israeli-occupied Palestine, most of the Persian Gulf Arab kingdoms as well as countries in North Africa in the morning of the festive occasion.

Muslims in other Muslim countries such as Iran and Iraq will mark the Eid with nationwide mass prayers on Saturday.

In a Friday message, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated President Raeisi and the Iranian people on the occasion of of Eid al-Fitr and wished peace, empathy, health and happiness for people across the world.

The premier said world people are enthusiastically celebrating Eid al-Fitr and pay heed to values such as brotherhood and solidarity.

In a message to his Iranian counterpart, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon congratulated him and the people of Iran on Eid al-Fitr.

In his congratulatory message, Rahmon said the great ideals of Eid al-Fitr have always led Muslim nations to follow worthy spiritual values.

He expressed confident that Muslim countries would further improve cordial relations and beneficial cooperation in various fields through joint constructive efforts and reach a new level in terms of quality and quantity.

In a Thursday message, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev offered his congratulations to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, President Raeisi and the Iranian people on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.