Dr Bawumia Calls on Muslims to Embrace Sacrifice and Unity in Eid al-Adha Message

Former Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia has called on Muslims in Ghana and around the world to uphold the values of sacrifice, compassion, and unity as they mark Eid al-Adha, one of the most significant observances in the Islamic calendar.

In a goodwill message posted on Facebook on Wednesday, May 27, Dr Bawumia reflected on the spiritual meaning of the festival, which commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command before a ram was provided as a substitute.

“On this sacred occasion, we are reminded of the power of sacrifice, obedience, and unwavering faith,” the former Vice-President wrote. “May the spirit of Eid al-Adha inspire us to give selflessly, uphold compassion, and strengthen the bonds that unite us as one people.”

The message, while rooted in religious reflection, carried a broader social and political undertone. Dr Bawumia encouraged Ghanaians to use the period to demonstrate kindness and strengthen national unity regardless of religious or political differences — an appeal that resonates at a time when partisan tensions and economic pressures have tested the country’s social fabric.

Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is traditionally marked by communal prayers, the ritual slaughtering of animals, acts of charity directed at the needy, and family gatherings. In Ghana, the celebration draws Muslims from all walks of life to prayer grounds and public squares across the country.

This year’s national celebration was held at Independence Square in Accra, where President John Dramani Mahama delivered a parallel message calling on Ghanaians to draw on the spiritual significance of the festival to promote peace, tolerance, and national cohesion. Thousands of worshippers gathered for the event, which was attended by traditional leaders, government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps.

Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak also weighed in, urging Muslims to use the occasion to deepen national unity and promote peaceful coexistence with citizens of other faiths.

Dr Bawumia’s message stood out for its emphasis on selflessness and its implicit acknowledgement of the challenges facing the country. His call for citizens to “give selflessly” and “uphold compassion” reflects a broader concern among political leaders that the spirit of sacrifice — the very essence of the festival — needs to extend beyond religious observance into the civic sphere.

The former Vice-President, who lost the 2024 presidential election to Mahama, has remained active in national discourse, weighing in on issues from party unity to economic policy. His Eid message, however, deliberately avoided partisan language, focusing instead on shared values that transcend political affiliation.

“As we celebrate, may Allah accept our sacrifices and grant peace, prosperity, and blessings to every home,” he added.

The sentiment was echoed by worshippers across the country, many of whom used the day to distribute meat to the less fortunate, a practice rooted in the Prophetic tradition of ensuring that no family goes without during the festival.

Ghana’s Muslim community, estimated at roughly 18 per cent of the population, plays a significant role in the country’s social and political life. Eid al-Adha offers an annual opportunity for reflection on the values that bind the nation’s diverse communities together — values that, as multiple leaders emphasised on Wednesday, must be actively practised rather than merely proclaimed.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE