President sends best wishes to Muslims

Accra, Nov. 27, GNA - President John Atta Mills on Friday sent a message of peace and goodwill to Muslims on the occasion of the Eid al-Adha festival and asked them to bear in mind the significance of event. "The festival of sacrifice, as we know, is celebrated to remember the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God," he said.

This was contained in a statement issued on his behalf by Mrs Zita Okaikoi, Minister of Information in Accra.

President Mills asked Ghanaians to take a cue from Ibrahim and sacrifice a little towards the attainment of the country's goals. Eid al-Adha is the second of two Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims across the world and usually takes place a day after the pilgrims to Mecca in Saudi Arabia descend from Mount Arafat. The statement said this year's celebration was taking place in an atmosphere of extreme orderliness in line with the manner this year's Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca was organised. The President however expressed sadness about reports that two Ghanaians have been confirmed dead in Mecca.