Speaking at the Eid-ul-Adha prayers organised at the newly inaugurated Mosque complex at Kanda, President Akufo-Addo praised the Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu for upholding religious unity.

The Chief Imam has, for many years, been a preacher of unity, and he made history in April 2019 when he joined a Catholic Church to observe mass during his 100th birthday celebration.

Based on this, President Akufo-Addo has recognised the Muslim leader as a significant pillar in the nation’s religious unity.

President Akufo-Addo prayed for wisdom and strength for Sheikh Dr Sharubutu as he offers more leadership, not just to the Muslim flock but to the entire population.

He, therefore, called on all Ghanaians, typically Muslims to emulate the life of the Chief Imam so as to create a free and conducive atmosphere for the development of the nation.

It is for this unity that President Akufo-Addo stated that the Mosque Complex, which is the second largest in West Africa, is to serve as an ample evidence of peaceful existence.

“The minaret of this mosque is very visible from many parts of Accra. For me, it is not just the beauty that it adds to Accra’s skyline that excites me necessarily. I am even more excited by the fact that, as a Christian-majority country, a symbol of Islam can beautifully adorn our landscape, and expose the beauty of religious harmony that we enjoy in Ghana, and which continues to be the envy of the rest of the world,” the President said in his commissioning speech.

This was in a lengthy goodwill message to commemorate the 2020 Ed al-Adha celebration today, July 31, 2020.

He used the opportunity to reiterate the need to observe all laid down safety protocols to help curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.

ALSO READ:

• Spread word of peace, tolerance – Chief Imam urges Eid-ul-Adha celebrants

• Eid-ul-Adha: Adhere strictly to Covid-19 protocols – Rawlings to Muslims

He further urged both Christians and Muslims in Ghana to continue to foster the spirit of unity and peaceful co-existence.

Read the full message below:

Today marks Eid al-Adha, an Islamic holiday also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice.” The holiday is the first of four days when Muslims sacrifice meaningful things to them, typically sheep, cows, chickens and goats, which they slaughter, cook and share with family, friends and the poor. Eid al-Adha also marks the end of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 10-day pilgrimage Muslims take to Mecca. Hajj is a pilgrimage all Muslims must take at least once in their lives.

Below is everything you need to know.

Why is it celebrated?

In a dream, God ordered Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his most beloved – his only son, Ismail. Prophet Ibrahim told his son about the dream, to which Ismail agreed to be used as a sacrifice. The Prophet and his wife traveled to Mecca, where they planned to perform the deed.

READ: Poor Men Love Big Breasts, The Rich Prefer Them Smaller –Study

As Prophet Ibrahim prepared to kill his child, God replaced his son with a ram. God’s command was a test to see if the Prophet would follow his command. Prophet Ibrahim passed the test. Centuries later, Muslims have carried the tradition of sacrificing animals in the name of God.

When is it celebrated?

Eid al-Adha falls on a different time each year. In the Islamic lunar calendar, the day is determined based on the sighting of the Crescent Moon and the New Moon. It is not known when the exact day begins. This year, the holiday begins Tuesday, 21 August and runs until Saturday, the 25^th.

READ: Otiko Djaba rejects ambassador job

What is the difference between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic year. For 30 days, Muslims worldwide observe fasting and end the month with the Eid al-Fitr celebration. Eid al-Adha is a festivity celebrated on the 10^th day of the Muslims’ pilgrimage to Hajj.

What celebrations happen on Eid al-Adha?