Following are excerpts from a speech delivered by Hamas MP Yunis Al-Astal, which aired on Al-Aqsa TV on December 27, 2007.

Yunis Al-Astal: The offerings slaughtered by the pilgrims teach us how fathers should sacrifice their sons by encouraging them to wage Jihad for the sake of Allah. They also teach us how young people should sacrifice themselves. Our forefather Ismail, who was also a prophet, said: "Oh father, do what you are commanded," and he sacrificed himself. The holiday and the offerings remind us of the need for fathers to sacrifice their sons and the need for sons to sacrifice themselves.