Muslims must lead efforts to transform country

Ghanaian Muslims need to eschew antiquated divisive tendencies to position themselves to play a leading role in the fight to transform the country, the Ameer and Missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission has said.

Alhaji Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih said each Ghanaian Muslim must see himself or herself as a reformer of the Ghanaian polity.

Delivering a sermon at the Eid-Ul-Fitr prayers at Ashongman in Accra yesterday, the Ahmadi leader said as individuals and a nation, there was a lot to learn from fasting when it came to the values of responsible citizenship, tolerance, civility and mutual respect for one another.

Those values, he said, in addition to others, were essential ingredients that engendered peace, development and progress of a nation.

“Let Eid, therefore, be a reminder to us as a nation, and particularly Muslims, to cling firmly to these lofty ideals, even after Ramadan. This way, we can achieve good neighbourliness, mutual trust and respect and the realisation that we all have, as rightful citizens, a stake in our country’s future,” he added.

Eid

The Eid celebration marks an end to the month-long Ramadan fasting. It means the "festival of breaking the fast". Ramadan is a month-long fast which marks the month Muslims believe their Holy Book, the Quran, was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.

During this time, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. Ramadan is one of the five Pillars of Islam, requiring prayer five times a day and generally encouraging a more reflective behaviour.

Lawlessness

Alhaji Maulvi Bin Salih stated that prior to the fast, the country had experienced lawlessness with increasing criminal activities.

“You will agree with me that we do not deserve such a negative accolade. We have placed our country at the crossroads.”

“The image of our country is almost bruised and sullied by courtesy of the negative acts of lawlessness, as well as the inaction of all of us, particularly those in authority,” he stated.

Enforce the law

He challenged the powers that be to let the law work, saying: “Our negative attitude in the immediate past in the implementation of the law must be checked and not given the slightest pace to fester.”

Alhaji Maulvi Bin Salih urged the public to be wary of their utterances and even body language in order to avert conflicts.

He called on the leadership of the country to lead a life of humility honesty, patriotism and govern with the fear of Allah, and added that the media should remain truly critical and diligently honest in their reportage and at the same time infuse in the minds of the people the feelings of virtue.”

Fun after prayers

Right after the prayers, tables were laid and mats spread for a picnic.

“We are not going home; the fun is here. There will be a lot to eat, drink and share. There is a lot of decency in the celebration here,” Abdul Karim told the Daily Graphic.

Food is an important part of Eid-ul-Fitr, as feasting takes the place of fasting.