BARKA DA SALLAH (SEPTEMBER 30, 2008)

ONCE again Muslims all over the world today celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr after a month-long Ramadan.
As stated in the Holy Quran, it is within this holy month that the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and for this reason the month is also recognised to be the most powerful one in the lunar calendar.
The month of Ramadan is also characterised by a lot of blessings. To enjoy these blessings from Allah, Muslims are obliged to fast right from dawn to sunset. They are also forbidden from engaging in any wrongdoing or act that is likely to result in enmity and animosity between them and their non-Muslim neighbours. Muslims are also entreated to be more generous and kind-hearted during the period.
The Daily Graphic congratulates all Muslims in the country and beyond on the observance of the long-month fast and hopes that the blessings and the peace emanating from the holy month will be felt throughout the year and beyond. We expect that the blessings of the Ramadan will also reflect in the way we conduct ourselves to really demonstrate the peace, fellow-feeling and generosity imbibed during the fast.
It is our expectation that the meaning and essence of the fast will generously manifest in the way the Muslim community conducts its affairs, including the organisation of the Hajj and the electioneering process.
We call on organisers of the Hajj to demonstrate to the entire nation that they are on top of their assignment to avoid any hassle by the would-be pilgrims.
It is against this background that the Daily Graphic wishes to remind all Muslims in the country to be wary of any undesirable elements who would want to cause pain to those who would want to fulfil their religious obligation of performing the Hajj.
We do not want to experience another Hajj fiasco this year, a development which, over the last three years, has resulted in some Muslims being humiliated, dehumanised and treated like dirt.
We know that the Muslim community in the country has a lot of knowledgeable and experienced personalities who can organise the Hajj without allowing anybody to raise any question marks over it and also without putting any innocent life at risk.
The peace and the blessings imbibed in the month of Ramadan should guide whichever committee will be responsible for this year’s Hajj.
We are appalled by the claims and counter claims by two different committees, each staking claim as the legitimate organiser of this year’s Hajj. These committees have gone public, stating how much they are charging for this year’s Hajj and, clearly, this is a recipe for confusion if care is not taken.
The Daily Graphic believes that in the interest of peace these two groups should come together to organise a hassle-free pilgrimage.
They should not provide room for any unbearable inconveniences to characterise this year’s Hajj. The love for their religion and people should be their priority; any other thing must be secondary.
We appeal to all Muslims to ensure that the essence and substance of Ramadan will continue to dominate all that we do, so that we can be at peace with one another and also co-exist with our non-Muslim neighbours.
The Daily Graphic calls on all Muslims to use the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr to pray for a prosperous Ghana, pray for our leaders and politicians everywhere and be tolerant towards one another, irrespective of one’s religious or political inclination.
Nobody in the Muslim community should allow himself or herself to be used as a tool to foment trouble, especially now that the country is preparing for the December polls.
The Daily Graphic wishes Muslims all over the country a happy celebration.
Barka da Sallah.