Political leaders wish Muslims Eid Mubarak

Some political leaders have appealed to Muslims to adhere strictly to the safety protocols and directives on the novel coronavirus (COVID -19) as they celebrate the Eid ul Fitr.

In separate statements, former President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, former President John Dramani Mahama and the acting chairperson and leader of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Hajia Hamdatu Ibrahim, congratulated Muslims for successfully going through the 30-day Ramadan fast.

Rawlings

 Former President Jerry John Rawlings and wife, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings

In a statement, former President Rawlings and Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, noted that yesterday’s celebration was devoid of the usual congregation of Muslims at various communities to offer prayers and later to celebrate the successful conclusion of the month of fasting with get-togethers because of the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and its social distancing protocols.

“We commend the Muslim community for their commitment to the protocols instituted by the government to stem the spread of Covid-19 and urge that as we offer our prayers to Allah, we seek His grace to heal us of the afflictions of the virus,” it said.

The statement also urged all Muslims to endeavour to adhere strictly to the social distancing and hygiene protocols as they celebrated so that the country could combat the crisis.

Mahama

For his part, former President John Dramani Mahama thanked Allah for seeing Muslims through the Ramadan.

In a tweet, he said, Muslims all over could not get together to pray due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While asking Allah to protect everyone from the virus, he stressed the need for Ghanaians to adhere to the necessary safety protocols.

Ahead of the celebration, former President Mahama, who is also the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), presented a quantity of food items to the Muslim community.

The beneficiaries include the office of the National Chief Imam, Al-Sunna, Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, the Shia, Council of Muslims Organisations and other underprivileged Muslims. The items presented were made up of 600 bags of rice, 600 food boxes and 100 boxes of cooking oil.

CPP

The acting chairperson and leader of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Hajia Hamdatu Ibrahim, prayed that Allah heard the supplications of all Muslims during the Ramadan.

“May Allah bless, replenish and reward all the sacrifices you made,” it said.

She urged all Muslims to abide by the protocols and directives on COVID-19, stressing that “we are the only ones who can make a difference in the spheres of our lives.”

Akyem Oda aspirant

In a related development, an aspiring New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate for Akyem Oda, Mr Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has presented food items and cash to Muslim communities in the constituency to mark the celebrations.

The items donated by Mr Acquah included bags of rice, gallons of cooking oil, boxes of tin tomatoes, assorted drinks, hand sanitisers, nose masks and cash.
Presenting the items, Mr Acquah entreated the Muslims to adhere to all protocols put in place by the government to deal with the spread of COVID-19.

Receiving the items, the Zongo chief, Alhaji Suleman Adamu, expressed his gratitude to Mr Acquah for the donation.