OVER the weekend Muslims around the globe marked Eid-ul-Fitr (Feast of Breaking of the Fast).
EID-ul-Fitr is an important religious event celebrated by Muslims worldwide to signify the end of Ramadan, the Islamic Holy month of fasting (‘sawm’).
AND here in Ghana the story was not different as hundreds of Muslims converged on the Black Star Square, Accra, to celebrate the festival.
THERE is no doubt that Islam is a beautiful religion, key among its doctrines is the promotion of oneness, unity and above all peace.
IT is in the light of the above that Today wishes all our Muslim brothers and sisters Eid Mubarak on the celebration of Eid.
AS a secular state Muslims and Christians in this country have co-existed peacefully, respecting each other’s religious doctrines.
IT must be pointed out that this bond existing between Muslims and Christians has, to a large extent, contributed to the peace that we continue to enjoy as a people and a nation.
THIS is in sharp contrast to what is happening in other countries where adherents of other religious faiths are being hounded, and sometimes get murdered in extreme cases.
SADLY, a few nuts within the Islamic faith around the world have gone to extremes visiting mayhem on individuals, families and countries in the name of the same religion that others of the same faith have worked tirelessly to protect. Such isolated chilling acts have unfortunately, succeeded in casting a bad image for practitioners of the Islamic religion.
IN Ghana, though the situation is not so alarming as we find in other places including some neighbouring countries, there have been some isolated instances in the past where some youth, believed to be of the Islamic faith, were reportedly used by other influential persons to cause problems in some communities.
THE perception created in such instances is that Muslims are problem shooters. Such perceptions, unfortunately, are difficult to erase.
THIS is where we are urging our Muslim brothers and sisters to heed the advice of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo by ensuring that ideologues do not use them for their selfish and destructive motives.
ADDRESSING Muslims who had converged on the Independence Square, President Akufo-Addo urged: “Whether you are Ahl-Sunna, Tijaniyya, Shia or Ahmadiyya, I remind you of the words of Allah, as captured in Quran Chapter 3:103: ‘And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah stretches out to you, and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favour on you; for you were enemies and he joined your hearts in love, so that by his grace you became brethren…’ ”.
THUS from the above chapter, it is clear that the Holy Quran abhors division amongst Muslims.
THIS is the more reason Today agrees with President Akufo-Addo on his advice to Muslims in this country to prevent ideologues from infiltrating them and using them for all kinds of evil activities.
IN our view, we will urge our Muslim brethren to expose such characters so the laws of our land can deal with them.
AND on this score we charge Muslims to ensure that Islam is not perverted for parochial interest.
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