Let’s uphold essence of Eid-ul-Adha

Tomorrow is Eid-ul-Adha. The occasion is used by the Muslim community globally to commemorate the symbolic sacrifice of Ibrahim’s only son, Ismail.

In Ghana, the day will be marked across the country with Muslim prayers and later climaxed with the sacrifice of goats, cows and sometimes camels.

Similar ceremonies will take place in many parts of the globe. The Daily Graphic will like to take the opportunity to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters happy felicitations.
It is our conviction that our Muslim brothers and sisters will go through the highly religious event peacefully and joyously.

The Daily Graphic has observed that the use of motorcycles for stunt and display purposes during such occasions is on the decline due to the intensified public education by the police and other stakeholders, including religious leaders.

We also use this opportunity to urge for continuous education, particularly of the youth, so that they would conduct themselves in a very orderly, peaceful and decent manner during the celebrations.

It is our conviction that the significance of the occasion should not be lost on us as anything to the contrary will defeat the purpose of the day.

We remind our Muslim brothers and sisters that the country’s focus will be on them as they go through this once-in-a-year activity and we admonish them to do everything to showcase goodness, kindness and mercy, which are the attributes of Allah.

The Daily Graphic notes that this is the second biggest religious festival of Muslims, and as such prayers will be offered for world peace and for the prosperity of mankind. It is in this vein that we ask for solemnity to prevail in memory of the Prophet Ibrahim's (AS) faith in Allah and his complete readiness to sacrifice his dearest son as a token of surrendering himself to the divine will.

And there lies the true message of Eid-ul-Adha. The Almighty, in His infinite kindness and being satisfied with the prophet's resolve, withdrew the decree and permitted him to sacrifice an animal.

Though some will be in a merry mood during the celebration, there are many others who may not be able to celebrate the day the way they would have liked because they may be in distress, struggling with ill health, or are in abject poverty.

For such people, we must remember that it is our moral and religious obligation to share in their grief and possibly refrain from doing anything that would show a lack of sensitivity to them.

If sacrifice is what this festival is all about, then the people in distress should be the prime beneficiaries of what we do on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.

This Eid, therefore, let us all resolve to break away from the temptation to show off our worldly riches, and focus on extending a helping hand to the less fortunate.

Our prayers are also with all Muslims around the world who are not able to celebrate the festival with the usual joviality because they are besieged by natural disaster, war, poverty or other difficult circumstances.

We hope that the essence of sacrifice, both spiritually and materially, truly embraces us all.

Eid Mubarak to our Muslim brothers and sisters.