The Vice President and Flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged leaders and Ghanaians to be inspired by what he called the incredible sacrifice of Prophet Abraham and pursue worthy causes for the benefit of humanity and the nation.
Speaking in Accra on Sunday at the national Eid ul Adha prayers, the Islamic festival inspired by Prophet Abraham’s decision to obey God’s instruction to sacrifice his only son, Ishmael, Dr. Bawumia said people in leadership positions ought to uphold the spirit of sacrifice in service to make meaningful impacts on the people they serve and the nation.
Dr. Bawumia said that even though it is impossible to replicate Prophet Abraham’s ultimate example of sacrifice, as narrated in both the Bible and the Quran, he urged that in “our own little ways’, we should sacrifice for others and the nation.
‘Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) set the ultimate example of sacrifice and obedience, which is impossible for any of us to replicate,” Dr. Bawumia said in his Eid address. “But in our own little ways, we have to emulate the sacrificial spirit of Prophet Ibrahim to help one another, our community and our dear nation.” “For us in leadership positions, it is even more important because, as leaders, rendering selfless service to the people who elect us should always be our priority, and that can only happen with lots of personal sacrifice.”
“For the citizenry, patience and sacrifices are also required in our everyday lives: in our personal affairs, at home with our families, at our workplaces, in our communities and in our dealings with our leaders and government.”
With signs of economic recovery following the recent hike in the cost of living, which he said was largely influenced by one of the biggest global financial crises in history, Dr. Bawumia also acknowledged the sacrifices Ghanaians have made over the past few months, following the impact of the crisis.
adding that the government has also made some budget cuts.
Dr. Bawumia urged Muslims and all Ghanaians to be inspired by the principles of Eid ul Adha.
“Fellow Muslims, as we observe the sacred festival of sacrifice, which is inspired by the motherly care of Hajar (Hagar) towards her son Ismael and Prophet Ibrahim’s incredible obedience to God, let us always be inspired by their acts of selflessness and sacrifice by caring for each other, and also sacrificing for worthy causes, for the betterment of our families, communities and the nation.’
In an address read on his behalf by the Spokesperson, Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam, underscored the need for religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence amongst all the religious faiths in the country.
He kicked against any acts of religious extremism, and conflicts and violence before, during and after the December 7 polls.
He implored all Muslim youth to observe the laws regulating the polls and urged the Electoral Commission to be free, fair, and transparent with its electoral processes.
Eid-ul-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice, is a major holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide, who attend special prayers held at major mosques and Islamic centres throughout the world.
The Feast of Sacrifice originates from the historic event when Prophet Abraham or Ibrahim was commanded by God in a dream vision to sacrifice his son. While he was in the act of sacrificing his son, God sent the Angel Gabriel with a huge ram. Gabriel informed Abraham that his dream vision was fulfilled and instructed him to sacrifice the ram as a ransom for his son.
