Africa-Press – Ghana. Muslims have been asked to uphold peaceful co-existence, unity and patriotism in their endeavours. They should be tolerant of divergent religious views and remain committed to the tenets of Islam as well as Ghana’s development aspirations to help build a prosperous nation.
Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, who gave the advice, while addressing congregants at the Central Mosque, Kumasi, on the ‘Eid-al-Adha’, said religion was meant to develop the society for the better.
Therefore, the faithful had the responsibility to avoid any behaviour likely to compromise the noble principles and doctrines, the Minister observed, saying religion ought to be used as a tool for advancing the good cause of the people.
‘Eid-al-Adha’ is the second and biggest of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam (the other being Eid al-Fitr).
The holy feast honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Prophet Abraham) to sacrifice his son, Ismail (Ishmael), as an act of obedience to Allah’s (God) command.
In marking this ceremony, animals are ritually slaughtered. Part of their meat is consumed by the family which offers the animal, while the rest of the meat is distributed to the poor and needy in society.
Mr. Osei-Mensah used the occasion to entreat the Muslim community to be environmentally conscious and avoid the haphazard dumping of refuse. Such bad habits, according to him, had the tendency of destroying the environment with their attendant negative consequences.
He asked the people to be supportive of the government’s development programmes and policies to ensure their effective implementation. Sheikh Haroun Abdul-Mummin, the Regional Chief Imam, led the congregation to pray for the progress of the nation.
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