Use Eid-ul-Fitr to promote peace

Moslems all around the world are looking forward to celebrating the Eid-ul-Fitr Festival which marks the end of their month-long fast — one of the pillars of Islam that all practising Moslems are enjoined to undertake.The hunger pangs endured during the Holy Month of Ramadam are meant to strengthen individual spirituality and also make partakers empathise and share with those often in need.

The hunger pangs endured during the Holy Month of Ramadam are meant to strengthen individual spirituality and also make partakers empathise and share with those often in need.

No doubt the end of the month-long fasting is marked with mass prayers, sharing of food with friends and relatives and general merry-making within Moslem communities.

In solidarity with our Moslem brothers, well-wishers and various organisations often donate food items towards the celebration to make the occasion grand, not only for Moslems but also all who join them in this all-important event on the Islamic calender.

In recent times, however, the celebration in some communities has tended to be a little rowdy, with some of the youth throwing caution to the wind and indulging in reckless motorbike rides on the streets, in the process becoming a danger to themselves and other road users.

Admittedly, it is not easy to deprive oneself of food for 30 days and all who go through this deserve to make merry at the end of it all. However, we need to remind ourselves of the spiritual nature of the whole exercise and not do things that will negate the spiritual upliftment expected from the exercise.

That is why we are in agreement with the call by President Nana Akufo-Addo, during the presentation of some food items towards the Eid-ul-Fitr festivities in Kumasi, on Moslems to use the occasion for self-introspection, resolve to become better people and promote the collective good of mankind.

He said the spiritual exercise should redefine the individual’s faith in Allah and position the faithful to contribute positively towards the country’s developmental needs.

Ghana is blessed in a unique way which enables people of different religious persuasions to live together in peace and join one another to mark and celebrate significant events on their different religious calendars.

This is phenomenal and we, as a people, must collectively and jealously guard this special attribute of ours, so that we can continue be our neighbour’s keeper in order to continue to live in peace and stability. It’s only in a peaceful and stable environment that the socio-economic transformation that we so crave can be achieved.

As we salute our Moslem brothers and sisters for a successful end of fast, we entreat all to join them in the celebration and use the spiritual exercise to promote peace and development in our communities and eschew negative tendencies that undermine our country as an oasis of peace in a turbulent world.

We wish all Moslems a Happy Eid-ul-Fitr.