BARKAH DA SALLAH (SEPT 11, 2010)

MUSLIMS throughout the world yesterday celebrated the Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.
Eid-ul-Fitr is regarded as the most important festival on the Islamic calendar and it is celebrated with great piety.
Muslims believe it was during the holy month of Ramadan more than 1,400 years ago that the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed. Thus, during the period, the Muslims, besides fasting and praying, do charity and abstain from worldly pleasures. They are also expected to abstain from quarrels, lies and entertainment.
Fasting is believed to have many special spiritual and physical benefits. Among these, the most important is that it is a means of learning self-control. During the period, a measure of ascendancy is given to one’s spiritual nature which becomes a means of coming closer to Allah.
Fasting also teaches patience and humility, purifies the soul and body and manifests that man is not the slave of his desires and cravings.
It is also said that fasting makes one realise the scourge of hunger and helps people develop a sense of concern for the hungry and needy people and learn to be thankful and appreciative of all of Allah’s bounties. Fasting is also advantageous to health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits.
The DAILY GRAPHIC salutes our Muslim brothers and sisters for setting themselves apart for the month-long fast, and for their abstinence and charity to fulfil the third “pillar” or religious obligation in Islam.
Having successfully endured the period, we hope all Muslims will be fortified and strengthened as they embark on activities to improve on their lives and those of others in their various communities.
The DAILY GRAPHIC also hopes the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr would bring peace and prosperity to the people and also strengthen brotherhood in society.
Furthermore, we call for continued prayers for those of our brothers in conflict areas in Ghana and across the world so that periods such as this can inspire the establishment of long-term peace and tranquillity.
We are happy that in his address to Muslims at the Independence Square in Accra yesterday, President J. E. A. Mills minced no words in urging religious leaders to be circumspect in their utterances which have the potential of igniting rivalries among their followers to the detriment of the country’s development.
Our dear country faces great political, economic and social challenges that require a lot of concerted effort both spiritually and physically to resolve and the DAILY GRAPHIC, therefore, calls on Muslims and, indeed, followers of all religions, to resolve to offer their quota towards the attainment of the ‘Better Ghana’ agenda.
As the President rightly pointed out “no religious denomination could develop the country alone and there was the need for collective efforts by followers of all denominations to move the country forward”.
Just as in 610 AD, the revelation of the Holy Quran to the Holy Prophet helped in providing guidance and direction to all and also judgement between right and wrong, so does the DAILY GRAPHIC pray for a great awakening in our society for the betterment of all.
We wish our Muslim compatriots ‘Barka Da Sallah’.