Happy Eid-ul-Fitr

Muslims throughout the world are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast, which is marked after the Holy month of Ramadan.

This is a very important period in the lives of all Muslims across the globe because it is the time when much attention is focused on prayer and fasting. The fasting teaches the meaning and pain of hunger and thirst, so that people who go through that will appreciate those without food and water.

It is also the time when attention is focused on the poor and efforts made to cater for them.

While the period of fasting is the time Muslims become more spiritually aware and inclined, it is also a period for sober reflection on the instructions of Allah, as contained in the Qur'an.

During the month of Ramadan, all Muslims abstain from all earthly pleasures in order to draw close to Allah and also become aware of the needs around them.

The Daily Graphic believes that the underlining principles and objectives of Ramadan tie in with the aim of the leadership of the country to provide for all citizens of the country, whether rich or poor, and also develop the country.

By going through a period that makes one become more aware of the needs of humanity, we are all able to identify the needs of our communities in order to adequately support the government to provide for all.

Ghana, a developing country, is still in need of adequate educational infrastructure for all its children and youth. There is also the need for more infrastructure for health, transport, energy, sanitation, agriculture and other sectors.

Ghanaians of all religious persuasions need all the infrastructure to live healthy, productive and meaningful lives and it is why the Daily Graphic is pleased that the exercise successfully concluded by our Muslim brothers and sisters brings to the fore the needs of society.

Just as Islam teaches, we ask well-to-do Muslims to assist those in need in their communities, as well as their local authorities, to put up basic amenities that will promote good health, prosperity and long life.

We must all see ourselves as agents of progress, development and change and we urge all Muslim leaders to inculcate in the youth the desire to improve their lot through education and assisting one another.

One of the good things that fasting and prayer do is that they rejuvenate those who partake in them and makes them poised for action to better their lot.

As we join our Muslim brothers and sisters in celebrating the end of the fast, we urge all Muslims, especially the youth, to stay away from any practices or tendencies that have the potential to negate the gains of Eid. During the celebrations, many young Muslims will visit their loved ones riding motorcycles and the manner of their use has been an issue of concern.

We congratulate all Muslims on observing the Holy month and encourage them to join in building this great nation with the inward strength and focus they have gathered from the Ramadan period.