National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Sharubutu
A section of the Islamic community across the country is saying congregational prayers, otherwise called Eid El Fitr prayers, today to mark the end of the month of Ramadan.
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Sharubutu, will lead the religious activity at the Independence Square today.
Characteristically, the guest of honour will be either the President or his vice.
The speech for the occasion will touch on the state of the nation and achievements of the current administration so far.
Of course, Muslims will be enjoined to continue to live in peace with their Christian compatriots.
Today’s activity comes on the heels of the recent landmark visit to the Christ The King Church by the National Chief Imam as part of his centenary celebration, a feat which attracted widespread acclamation.
In most parts of the world, the religious activity was marked yesterday because the crescent of the moon marking the end of the month of Ramadan had been spotted in many countries, including some parts of Ghana.
The National Chief Imam, following the spotting of the crescent, announced that there should be no fast yesterday even though officially today has been declared a holiday so Eid El Fitr can be observed.
The lunar calendar sometimes ends on the 29th or 30th of the month of Shawwal.
In Accra, the usual street carnival climaxing the festival will be absent because of the ban on drumming and noise-making by the Ga Traditional Council, which is still in force.
DAILY GUIDE has learnt that the street procession has accordingly been postponed to a later date.
The Ahlunsunna Wal Jamma sect of Islam yesterday had their congregational prayers at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park where their National Chief Imam, Sheikh Ibrahim Umar, denied that the sect has not showed respect to the National Chief Imam by not sticking to today’s prayer date.
“It’s not about being disrespectful. We accord the National Chief Imam his due respect but when it comes to matters of the faith, the tenets contained therein supersede all else,” he said.
By A.R. Gomda