Muslims in the country gathered Thursday morning to pray for peace and order among Muslims and non-Muslim in commemoration of the most important holiday of the Islamic calendar; Eid al-Adha
The festival marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and in commemoration of Prophet Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his son to show obedience to Allah.
The Upper East regional Chief Imam sheik Yussif Adam in leading his people in prayer urged Muslim youth in the region, especially the youth in Bawku to be law abiding and see peace as a priority, Tanko Mohammad Rabiu reported
He reported that Regional Minister, James Zuuga Tigaah and the general secretary of ruling National Democratic Congress, Johnson Aseidu Nketia and other political party representatives joined thousands of Muslims at the NAFAC grounds in Bolgatanga to pray.
From Tamale, Zakaria Abdul-Kadiri and Zubaida Ishmeal reported that hundreds of Muslims in metropolis observed the Eid al-Adha prayers which was led by the Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Ahmad Abdul-Sala at the Tamale Jubilee park.
In his sermon, he advised Muslims to be law abiding and eschew all forms of violence that has characterize the region. He said the security agencies are the only institutions mandated to enforce law and order.
The Imam noted it is wrong for anybody to indulge in any crime in the name of vengeance.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Muhammad Muniru Limuna, who addressed the Muslims, urged them to let the tenets of the religion manifest in their lifestyle in order to have peace in the area.
He called for mutual co-existence between Muslims and other religions in the world and advised the Muslim community to prioritize the education of their children, pointing out that “education remains the key to all forms of development”.
On the Dagbon protracted conflict which led to the murder of Ya Na Andani Yakubu, he noted that “some people continue to exploit the situation for their selfish interest”.
Eastern Regional correspondent, Yvonne Neequaye, reported that regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Suleman Amudani charged the citizenry to desist from derogatory remarks in public discourse, and asked other religious bodies to help maintain the current peace the nation was enjoying.
Leading scores of Muslims at the Central Mosque he prayed for leaders of the nation.
Deputy Regional Minister Mavis Frimpong praying with the Muslims
The Eastern Regional Minister Aantwi Boasiako-Sekyere and his Deputy Mavis Frimpong who joined them urged the Muslim youth not be persuaded by any politician to engage in violence.
In the Ashanti Region, Ibrahim Abubakar reported that the regional chief Imam, Abdul Moomen led thousands of Muslims who converged at the Kumasi central mosque to observe this year’s Eid al-Adha.
The Chief Imam leading some of the Muslims
He said the Imam asked Muslims to avoid ‘self-indulgence’. “Our achievement through our mental faculty must be tempered with piety lest our attainment make us arrogant and cause us to be cut off from the blessing of nearness to Allah”.
The Imam also advised Muslims not to “let worldly pleasures distract us from the deeper meanings and noble pursuits in our daily lives especially on this noble occasion,” and entreated Muslims to be tolerant of other religion to ensure harmony
From the Central Mosque, Benjamin Aidoo reported that dressed in their beautiful apparel , the Muslims; young and old, converged on prayer grounds in the morning to observe two unit prayers to thank Allah for his protection and blessing.
[Left] Slaughtering of cow to symbolize the sacrifice. [Right] Some Muslims ladies dressed up for the festivities
He said the Ashanti Regional Minister, Peter Anarfi Mensah, asked the Muslims to demonstrate the spirit of sacrifices as required under the tenets of the celebration.
The Sumankwanehe of manhyia, Baffour Asabre Abebio Kungyawatuo, called on them to make sober reflections and take stock of their journey throughout the year.He advised the youth to celebrate the occasion in moderation since any attempt to hide under the cover of such moments to engage in crimes would not be countenanced by the security.
About 30 bags of rice, oil and other items were presented to the Muslims by the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council.
Meanwhile, the Ahmadiyya mission also celebrated the day at the Ahmadiyya Senior High School in Kumasi . It was attended by the members of the mission, Mayor of Kumasi and leaders of the various political parties and other groups.
Calls for peace ,unity and understanding underlined most of the speeches .
From Sunyani our reporter Larry Paa Kwesi Moses reported that the Brong Ahafo Regional Chief Imam Alhaji Umar Abdul Kadiri who led the prayers appealed to Muslims to unite for what he described as the common goal of Islam.
He continued that the command of Allah enjoins Muslims to live at peace with one another devoid of violence as a first step to improve their lives
By editors.3news.com/Ghana
