Muslims observe Eid-ul-Adha in the regions
Muslims in Ghana yesterday celebrated the feast of Eid-ul-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, with prayers and thanksgiving offerings across the country.
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After the prayers, most of them retired to their homes to sacrifice animals and share meals with their friends and neighbours.
Eid-ul-Adha is a festival of sacrifice in honour of Prophet Abraham who obeyed Allah's command to sacrifice his son, Ismail.
For that display of commitment to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah's command, Allah exchanged that sacrifice with a sheep.
From Bolgatanga
Vincent Amenuveve reports that the prayers were led by the Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Yussif Adam, while a ram was slaughtered to mark the occasion.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Albert Abongo, who was the special guest of honour, entreated Muslims in the region to use the occasion to preach peace and “to be tolerant towards those who do not share the same political opinions with them” as the December polls approached.
According to him, if “all Ghanaians will be guided by the principles of the Eid then we can live together as a people with a common destiny irrespective of our religious, political, ethnic and other differences.”
Hundreds of Muslims thronged the Ho Police Depot park to offer prayers to Allah and to uplift his name for the bounties offered them in life, reports Tim Dzamboe from Ho.
The open air prayers were led by the acting Volta Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Alpha Anas, who used the occasion to urge the youth to avoid the temptation of being used to cause any trouble by political parties in the run-up to the elections.
In her address, the Volta Regional Minister, Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso, said it was a season for reflection and commitment to glorify God.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, interacting with some members of the Muslim community after the prayer session in Tamale
From Kumasi
Daniel Kenu reports that the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr John Alexander Ackon, urged Muslims to shun vengeance, indiscipline and other negative attitudes that affected progress and development.
“As you all know, both the government and religious organisations share a common interest of promoting the wellbeing of Ghanaians,” he said.
For his part, the Regional Chief Imam, Abdul Mumin Haroun, seized the occasion to correct an apparent erroneous impression that Muslim youth were the main perpetrators of violence during elections.
He conferred the title ‘Abdul Salam’ (son of peace) on the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr Nathan Kofi Boakye for promoting peace and reducing crime in the region.
The regional minister on behalf of President Mahama, presented a cow, 30 bags of rice and 20 cartons of oil to the Chief Imam.
From Tamale, Zadok Kwame Gyesi writes that the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Abdallah Abubakari, who joined hundreds of Muslims at the Tamale Jubilee Park to offer prayers to Allah in this year’s Eid-ul-Adha celebration, called on the leadership of the Muslim community to continue to admonish their members against activities that could disturb the peace and stability of the country in this year’s elections.
“Let us use this Eid-ul-Adha to once again reunite with ourselves and to Allah so that we can enjoy peaceful-co-existence,” he said, adding that “peace is at the heart of any progress and development.”
The Muslim community assembled at the Jubilee Park in Takoradi to offer prayers to Allah in observance of Eid-ul-Adha, reports Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah.
Some Muslims praying in Kumasi
Alhaji Mohammed Awal, the Imam for Takoradi Central, who led the congregation, prayed for peace and tranquillity to prevail in the country.
The Deputy Western Regional Minister, Mr Alfred Ekow Gyan, also appealed to the people to tolerate each other’s view and desist from any violent activity that was likely to plunge the country into war, since the safety of the nation was paramount.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Takoradi, Mr Okyere Darko-Mensah, said the upcoming elections should not divide the nation.
From Cape Coast, Shirley Asiedu-Addo reports that Muslims in the Cape Coast Metropolis prayed for the nation's growth and prosperity and especially for peace in the forthcoming general election.
The Ahhamadi Missionary in charge of Abura, Alhaji Uscaz bin Abdallah, who led the Ahmadi Muslims in prayers at the Cape Coast Technical Institute School park, asked the youth to avoid violent acts during the election period and work to promote peace in the communities.
The orthodox Muslims also held prayers near the Holy Child School.
In Sunyani, Kwame Asiedu Marfo reports that Muslims in the Sunyani Municipality converged on the Coronation Park dressed in their immaculate white costumes to say prayers to mark this year’s Eid ul-Adha.
They prayed for absolute peace before, during and after the general election and appealed to the youth not to involve themselves in any violent activities during this election year.
The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Baba Seidu, stressed that elections should not divide the country.