National Chief Imam calls for global peace, moral renewal in 2025 Eid Message

National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu

Ghana’s National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has delivered a powerful Eid-Al-Adha message urging Ghanaians and the global community to embrace a renewed sense of morality, compassion, and interfaith unity amid growing conflict and humanitarian crises.

Speaking ahead of this year’s festival on Friday, June 6, the Chief Imam reflected on the spiritual essence of Eid, calling on Muslims to rise above mere ritual and embrace a deeper, more transformative meaning of sacrifice and piety.

“Eid-Al-Adha is a festivity of sacrifice and an opportunity to reaffirm our faith in Allah,” he said. Citing Qur’an Chapter 22, Verse 37, he reminded the faithful that “Allah is not interested in the flesh and blood of the animals sacrificed, but in our commitment to piety.”

Sheikh Sharubutu urged Muslims to see Eid as a call to moral responsibility and national renewal, warning that without true spiritual reflection, the celebration risks becoming an empty tradition. He encouraged a shift “from negativity to positivity in the supreme interest of our society.”

Drawing from the story of Prophet Abraham, he underscored its relevance as a symbol of obedience, sacrifice, and faith shared by Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike. “This is the point of convergence of all the Abrahamic religions,” he said, appealing for stronger bonds among faith communities to foster mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence.

The Chief Imam also took a strong stance on the ongoing violence in Gaza and other conflict areas, denouncing what he called “genocidal impunity and moral bankruptcy.” He condemned global indifference to suffering and called on world leaders to reject violent domination in favour of justice and peace. “We cannot surrender our God-given humanity to modern-day barbarity in the name of supremacy,” he declared.

He concluded with a stirring vision for a more compassionate world, saying: “Let the global order reflect RIGHT over might, UNITY over disunity, FORGIVENESS over vindictiveness, RECONCILIATION over aggression, and PEACE over violence.”

The message, delivered on his behalf by his Personal Assistant, Dr Abubakari Mohammed Marzuq Azindoo, called for action rooted in faith, justice, and shared human values to confront the defining challenges of our time.