Eid ul-Adha meat should be shared with non-Muslims — Sheikh Abukari Issah

The Northern Regional Chairman of the Muslim Council, Sheikh Alhassan Abukari Issah, has urged Muslims to extend the spirit of Eid-ul-Adha to non-Muslims as a demonstration of love, kindness and inclusivity.

He emphasised that while many Muslims view Eid as a celebration exclusively for followers of Islam, it is essential to share the blessings of the occasion, particularly the sacrificial meat with people of other faiths.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic, Sheikh Issah stated that sharing Eid-ul-Adha meat and festivities with non-Muslims fostered understanding, respect, and peaceful coexistence among different religious communities.

“Let us showcase Islam as a religion that does not discriminate. It is time to show love to those who are not Muslims, to let them see the beauty of Islam,” he said.

Kindness

Sheikh Issah explained that the Qur’an distinguished between two categories of non-Muslims — those who are hostile to Islam and those who live peacefully with Muslims, adding that Muslims were enjoined by the Qur’an to treat the latter with kindness and compassion.

“The Qur’an teaches us to do good to all, and Almighty Allah does not prohibit Muslims from being kind to non-Muslims, Islam encourages kindness to every living soul, and this approach will help strengthen peaceful collaboration within our communities," he stressed.

He further stressed that acts of kindness during Eid, especially toward the needy and people of other faiths, reflect the true spirit of Islam — compassion, generosity, and inclusivity.

“Exchanging gifts only among Muslims does not spread the message of love and unity as effectively as reaching out to others.

Sharing with the less privileged and non-Muslims yields a higher reward than giving to fellow Muslims who may already be well-off,” he pointed out.

However, Sheikh Issah also advised Muslims to adhere to the prescribed religious guidelines and procedures for the celebration to earn the full spiritual benefits of the festival.