Great glory for Muslims

BA Chief Imam Sheikh Omar Khadri, leading the Moslem congregation in prayers

From Cape Coast, David Allan Paintsil reports that hundreds of Muslims gathered at the Holy Child Prayer Grounds to celebrate the climax of their one-month long fasting – Ramadan.

At about 9:40 a.m., the prayer ground was full to capacity, as young and old people arrived to celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr in grand style. Some people had to struggle for space, as the crowd continued to soar up, whilst others stood along the road to participate in the celebrations, as it became clear that the prayer grounds could no longer host the large crowd.

Egg sellers and ice cream vendors had a field day, as they cashed on the congregation which had come out of the long fasting. However, the occasion coincided with the ban on drumming in the metropolis, ahead of the Fetu Festival scheduled to take place on Saturday. The situation burnt down the desire of the Muslim youth to engage in their usual style of celebrating the Eid -Ul -Fitr.

The celebration burst to life with the arrival of the Central Regional Minister, Madam Ama Benyiwa Doe, popularly known in the Muslim community as Alhajia Aishatu, who exchanged pleasantries with the Zongo chiefs before taking her seat.

In her speech, Alhajia Aishatu, who had already donated 100 bags of rice and cooking oil to some mosques in the Metropolis, congratulated the Muslims for undertaking such a spiritual exercise throughout the month of August.

She said it was a great glory for Muslims and Ghanaians as whole, for the peaceful manner in which the Ramadan was observed, adding, 'Ghana enjoys a unique peace, which all must uphold.'

She thanked them for offering prayers for peace, unity, and prosperity for the country.

Alhajia Aishatu later presented GH¢500 to the Muslim chiefs towards the celebrations.

Also at the function was Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, the 2008 presidential candidate for the Convention People's Party (CPP), who thanked God for helping the Muslims to bring their month-long fasting to an end, and expressed the hope that their spiritual exercise would drive away poverty, hunger, and disease from the country.

Morally Upright
From Sunyani, Michael Boateng reports that the Brong-Ahafo Regional Chief Imam, Sheikh Omar Abdul Khadri, has called on Muslims to continuously be morally upright, as they did during the 'Month of Ramadan.'

Sheikh Omar Abdul Khadri noted that during the month of Ramadan, Moslems do everything possible to be morally upright, but unfortunately, after the Ramadan, they go back to such anti-social behaviours that affect the reason of fasting for 30 days.

'I wish to call on all Moslems to continue with the good behaviours exhibited during the fasting,' he pleaded.

The Regional Chief Imam also appealed for unity among Muslims and the entire citizenry, as enshrined in the Holy Quran, for peace and the rapid development of the country.

He continued that the Almighty Allah had entreated Muslims to hold on fast together, and not be divided, which is a divine command, stressing that without unity, there was no way development could be achieved.

'The lives of Moslems will not improve, except ensuring an atmosphere of peace and stability. Therefore, Muslims should remember the common goal of Islam, which is peace for development.'

The colourful event was attended by representatives of the two major political parties, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), where both called on Muslims to pray for peace in the coming 2012 elections.

Both the Regional Chairman of the NPP, Kwaku Asomah Cheremeh, and the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo, noted that violence-free elections could only be guaranteed through the consistent prayers of religious bodies in the country.

They all urged the youth, particularly, Muslims, to desist from being used by self-centered people to create violence during and after elections.

That notwithstanding, the two parties urged all Muslims to fully participate in the incoming voters' registration exercise, when the Electoral Commission commences the exercise.

Spirit of Ramadan
From Ho, Samuel Agbewode reports that the Volta Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Hamza Danjuman Omar, has called on Muslims across the country to allow the spirit of Ramadam to guide them in their daily activities, because the one-month fasting period had built up their faith to love and show respect for one another.

Alhaji Danjuma Omar pointed out that with the guidance and protection of Allah within the fasting period, Muslims should be in a position to embrace peace and unity, which he stressed, were vital in the promotion of development activities in the country.

He urged Muslims to abhor negative practices that would not enhance the development of the region and the country at large.

The Chief Imam, who was speaking at a ceremony to end the Ramadam in Ho, observed that it was unfortunate that in recent times, the culture of insults had characterised the behaviour of Ghanaians, a situation, he noted, was strange to Islam.

He cautioned the citizenry to refrain from the culture of insults, and lead lives worthy of emulation in their various communities, to help reduce discriminatory practices in society.

He said the cont