Happy Eid al-Fitr! Eid al-Fitr is believed to be a blessed festival by the Muslim people. Ramadan is the month in which the kindness of Allah (SWT) is revealed and He gives precious gifts to mankind. The Muslim people always look forward to the coming of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr as it is the time when the Qur'an was revealed to the earth, when Hell is closed and the gates of Paradise are opened, and when everyone is blessed with steadfastness of faith and the mercy of Allah (SWT). They are those who spend the month of Ramadan fasting and supplicating with blessings from the Creator on Eid al-Fitr. Those who are happy with the arrival of the festival are those who have the strength to spend Ramadan in good deeds. Those who abstain from evil during the holy month. Those who gave zakat to the poor and weak; Those who dare to forgive those who wronged them will reach Eid full of joy and spiritual power. On the contrary, those who are too lazy to make dua and do not receive blessings from the Creator. The election that will be held in May is the door where our country will win the victory of democracy and move to its next bright era. As a nation, we have longed for democracy for years. Our journey was not bed by bed. But we learn from Ramadan fasting and Eid al-Fitr that after trials there is blessing, and after strength there is joy. As a man who sows good will reap a good harvest. He who sows thorns will also reap thorns. Just because we wish, the Amekela will not turn into a good crop. In both spiritual and worldly matters, race and production are linked. We should not forget this fact when we think about democracy. The legal and public government that we will build will be determined by our participation in the early elections. If our participation changes, so does our democracy. It is also foolish to wish to give birth to a strong democracy with weak participation. A democratic system does not grow on empty land; It will not be built by conflict and disorder. Rather, it requires openness, openness to cooperation and coordination, and being guided by the rules of the game. Ramadan is a month where families come together, conscience gathers, body is tamed and spirit is ennobled. Eid al-Fitr is also a festival that symbolizes healthy human relationships. If man's relationship with his creator, with himself and with his fellow man is not healthy, his entire life will not be healthy. During Ramadan, fasting brings people together; Salat and Dua connect them with their Creator; Aftar and Zakat also connect them with the community. We must make these three healthy so that Ethiopians can live a healthy life. If a person's relationship with the creator and himself is not healthy, it is dangerous for the society and the country. If a man is in conflict with himself, he will be in conflict with everyone. Today, people who live with war as a culture, robbery as a habit, destruction as a value, and destruction as an honor, their first problem is that they are not in harmony with their Creator and themselves. A person whose internal qualities do not agree with him will not agree with anyone. Reconciliation, peace, love, understanding and harmony do not enter it. If man is in harmony with his Creator and himself, he can be in harmony with anyone. Even with animals. This is why Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught, "He who is merciful even to a sparrow, Allah will have mercy on him on the Day of Judgment." This is why the main foundation of Islam is peace. Peace means being able to live in a healthy relationship with yourself and the environment. As we celebrate this year's Eid holiday, let us ask why the people of the world could not live in peace as much as it is said about peace in our world? Why is the stone of conflict and war repeatedly hitting us? Why is it our practice to see the killer as a hero instead of a compassionate person? Seeing that poverty and backwardness is what humanity has gained from conflict and war, why didn't we learn from it? How did our people who live in the civilized world encourage conflict and war? This generation needs to find answers to these questions. We should not allow those who have lost peace with themselves to disturb the peace of the society. We should not allow people who are at odds with Ramadan values ​​to disturb our times. To live in the twelfth century as in the twenty-first century is to be present. Living in the twenty-first century like the twelfth century is a curse. Killing, kidnapping, burning the farmer's farm, oppressing women, looting social institutions, ruining heritage and history, using guns as a cure for everything, these are all human behaviors that happened 800 years ago. It is said that people who are reconciled with three elements are strong; With themselves, their community and their creator. As Ethiopians, we should be self-controlled, fear the creator and be concerned about the peace and development of society. Ethiopia grows and prospers because of its citizens and not because of others. It builds when its citizens build. When its citizens are at peace, it will be at peace. When its citizens agree, its journey of prosperity will be marked. The prosperity of Ethiopia is not someone else's prosperity but our prosperity. Therefore, it is our responsibility to make all the sacrifices required for Ethiopia to prosper. Our hard work will live on for generations to come. Our patriotism is known and our good citizenship is revealed by our work. This is why Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught that "the best people are those who strive to benefit others." I entrust you to celebrate this Eid al-Fitr while thinking about these good values ​​and upholding the three healthy principles. Happy Eid al-Fitr once again! Eid Mubarak! May Ethiopia be proud of her children's efforts and live forever!! May the Creator bless Ethiopia and its people! March, 2018 Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (Dr.)