Editorial by Ghanaian Times: We wish Muslims Barka da Sallah

Over the last one-month period, Muslims across the world went through a spiritual exercise of fasting in the Holy Month of Ramadan, abstaining from food and drink from dawn until sunset to attain the blessings and mercies of Allah.

Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam, and Ramadan is a time for purifying the soul, refocusing attention on God, and practicing self-discipline and sacrifice.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims aim to grow spiritually and build closer relationships with Allah by engaging in increased prayer, recitation of the Quran, and acts of charity.

Yesterday, they crowned the month-long fasting with the Eid-ul-Fitr, observed with open prayers to give thanks and praises to Allah for successfully seeing them through this enduring spiritual exercise characterised by sleepless nights of supplications, all in fulfillment of an important pillar of Islam, to seek Allah’s blessings and mercies.

The purpose of fasting extends beyond self-restraint from physical needs; it is a time for spiritual rejuvenation and enhancing one’s relationship with Allah.

Before going out to observe the open prayers, we are told Muslims offer the Zakat-al-Fitr, a specific charity given at Ramadan’s end, to ensure that even the less fortunate can partake in the celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr.

We at the Ghanaian Times want to associate with the Muslim community on this joyous occasion to say Eid Mubarak (Blessed Eid).

We are happy that the youth did not overindulge and get involved in acts that will take the shine out of the celebration.

We believe the celebration embodies the spirit and purpose of Ramadan, highlighting the importance of coming together to honor the values of compassion, gratitude, and mutual respect that are central to the faith.

We are told that Ramadan is not a one-off spiritual exercise to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the cause of the religion, but the experiences of Ramadan seek to offer lessons and inspirations that Muslims are encouraged to integrate into their daily lives beyond the month of Ramadan.

Muslims are, thus, expected to reflect on the core purpose of Ramadan: to cultivate a lasting spiritual discipline that transcends the month itself, enriching the lives of believers with continuous reflection and devotion.

The elevated devotion and connection to Allah experienced during Ramadan set a spiritual benchmark for personal growth and piety.

This holy month should inspire Muslims to continue the practices of daily prayers, Quran reading, and reflection, aiming to maintain the spiritual momentum of Ramadan.

By carrying forward the spirit of Ramadan throughout the year, Muslims can embody the change we wish to see, fostering environments of understanding and care that transcend cultural, religious, and geographical boundaries.

We are of the firm conviction that Ramadan is an inspiration to Muslims towards a journey of personal growth and collective betterment, making the values of this sacred time a living part of their daily lives.

In doing so, they would have honoured the essence of Ramadan and contributed to a legacy of peace, unity, and compassion that will resonate for generations to come.

We pray for God’s guidance for the Muslim faithful, who form the core of our readership, to continue to uphold the Islamic virtues and be steadfast in their religion.

We entreat them to pray to God to shower His blessing on the country for continuous peace, tolerance, religious coexistence, and prosperity.