Eid ul-Fitr 2020: praise to Allah in times of turbulence

This year’s celebrations of Eid ul-Fitr were joyful – yet more thoughtful than any other in living memory. Ghana is in an election year. And the world is struggling to recover from the onslaught of a disease, previously unknown to man, which has killed over 350,000 people.

The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, called on political parties to avoid ways of projecting their ideas which could jeopardise the atmosphere of peace in Ghana even as they prepare for the general election on 7 December.

Indeed, Osahene Boakye Gyan, the prominent National Democratic Congress member and retired revolutionary military officer, recently went as far as to accuse the Electoral Commission of gradually leading Ghana into civil war by deciding to compile a new voters’ register.

Beyond limits

On Sunday, the Chief Imam addressed celebrants at a virtual prayer session to mark Eid ul-Fitr, broadcast from the television studios of GBC in Accra.

Speaking through his spokesperson, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, the Chief Imam urged the Electoral Commission and other interest groups to work towards free, fair and peaceful elections.

As the government worked vigorously to devise pragmatic measures to limit the remaining COVID-19 restrictions on the country, the Chief Imam used the occasion to appeal to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to consider disinfecting mosques and other places of worship before public health officials allow them to reopen. This, he said, will stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes the disease.

Minds on substance

The Chief Imam said the lockdown and restrictions on social gathering have “taught Muslims how to focus on the substance of worship of their Maker”.

With his trademark diligence, Sheikh Sharubutu prayed for Ghana, the president, vice-president and all other Ghanaians in and outside the country.

This being a year when votes count more than usual, politicians did not want to miss the opportunity to address as important an interest group as Ghana’s Muslims. Some of these Eid messages will have raised a wry smile.

#EidMubarak
May Allah protect us from COVID-19, grant us good health & accept our prayers. pic.twitter.com/Ax7iCVVdH1

— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) May 23, 2020

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate what they believe to be the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.

Charles Credence

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