Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr
Muslims all over the country on Saturday prayed to mark the end of a month-long Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which strict fasting is observed in daylight hours. This year’s Ramadan began on June 18, 2015, and ended on the evening of July 17, 2015.
Advertisement
Hundreds of Muslims in the Upper East Region converged on the Bolgatanga Crafts Centre park for prayers, led by the area’s Chief Imam, Alhaji Yussif Adam, to mark the end of the Ramadan, reports Vincent Amenuveve.
Addressing the Muslims, the Regional Minister, Mr James Tiigah, observed that the Ramadan enabled the Muslims to instil in themselves God's consciousness and to promote love among the Muslim community.
He said this would ultimately enhance a harmonious environment towards sustainable peace and development in the entire country.
The regional minister entreated Muslims to be modest and celebrate the occasion within the confines of law.
From Takoradi, Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah reports that Muslims in the Western Region gathered at the Jubilee Park to offer their end-of-Ramadan prayers.
The Chief Imam of the Takoradi Central Mosque, Alhaji Mohammed Awar, who led the session, advised the congregation to stand up against homosexuality and lesbianism since Allah abhorred such immoral acts.
He prayed for the prosperity of the country, its leaders and others in responsible positions.
Alhaji Awar also urged Muslims to desist from all forms of corrupt practices and to expose those who engaged in bribery and other nefarious acts that tended to draw back the country’s development, adding that they should allow Godliness to permeate their hearts.
The Western Regional Minister, Mr Evans Paul Aidoo, recognised the immense contribution of religious bodies to the socio-economic development of the country, and urged the Muslim community to assist in the dissemination of government policies and programmes to the people as they constituted a significant percentage of the population.
Daniel Kenu and Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor report from Kumasi that the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Peter Anarfi-Mensah, challenged Muslims who prayed at the Central Mosque in Kumasi to work hard to safeguard the values which underpin the religion — peace and harmony for development.
He said it was time Muslim leaders stood against acts which were affront to the faith; they should show the way by admonishing, especially, the Zongo youth against behaviours and attitudes that could disturb the peace and tranquillity in the country.
According to the minister, nothing could be achieved, if there was no peace and harmony in the country, adding that ‘Peace cannot be traded if Ghanaians want development.’
At the Moshie Zongo Central Mosque, the Member of Parliament for Manhyia North Constituency, Mr Collins Owusu Amankwah, joined the Muslim community to pray for the country.
Led by the Chief Imam, Sheikh Alhassan, they thanked Allah for his blessing and guidance throughout the period and prayed for prosperity and peace for the country.
The MP later made a donation of food items (rice, sugar, tin tomatoes, cooking oil) and an undisclosed amount to the community through the Chief Imam.
From Sunyani Kwame Asiedu Marfo reports that the Brong Ahafo Chief Imam, Alhaji Umar Abdul Kadir, said Muslims would support any government in the country to ensure its socio-economic transformation.
He thanked God for the existence of good governance and peace and asked for God's continued blessing on the country.
Alhaji Kadir called on Ghanaians to join Muslims to celebrate the occasion.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, noted that Muslims had contributed to the peace and unity prevailing in the country.
He presented a cow, 25 bags of rice and an undisclosed sum to the leadership of the Muslims on behalf of the President.
At Ho, Muslims from various locations were led in prayers by the acting Volta Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Alsa Anas Hamidu, at the Police training depot, reports Mary Anane
The Volta Regional Minister, Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso, joined the Muslims to mark the occasion and urged them to use the occasion to support the needy.
The Chief Imam thanked Allah for seeing them through the fasting period and called on Muslims to be law-abiding and maintain peace and unity to develop their communities.