Muslims in Liberia will on today join their counterparts around the world to observe the Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.
Since Monday, March 11, 2024, Muslims have been abstaining from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset, in observation of the third pillar of Islam, which obligates adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, pregnant or menstruating to fast for 29 or 30 days.
According to Chapter 2 verse 185 of the Quran, “Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramadan˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.”
After completing 30 days of fasting on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, Muslims will commemorate today with a special prayer, followed by an elaborate festival.
During the Eid celebration, Muslims greet each other by saying ‘Eid Mubarak’, which is Arabic for “Blessed Eid”. As it comes after a month of fasting, sweet dishes and foods are often prepared and consumed during the celebration. Muslims typically decorate their homes, and are also encouraged to forgive each other and seek forgiveness. In countries with large Muslim populations, it is normally a public holiday with most schools and businesses closed for the day. Practices differ by country and region.
Meanwhile, the Grand Mufti of the Republic of Liberia, Sheikh Abubakar Sumaworo, has termed this year’s Ramadan, corresponding to the year 1445 Eid al-Fitr, as one of the joyous Eid festivals in the country.
He said Allah has guided Liberian Muslims to join the rest of the Muslims in the world to complete the 30 days of fasting and 30 nights prayers today, April 10, 2024.
In this vein, Sheikh Sumaworo gave many thanks to Allah for the grace and protection He has bestowed upon Liberian Muslims in the observance of this year’s Ramadan.
He also extended thanks and appreciation to all those who were kind to the members of the Muslims community and made several humanitarian donations to various mosques in terms of food and other assorted items across the country.
The Grand Mufti of Liberia made specific reference to President Joseph Boakai, whom, he recalled, made plentiful distribution of food stuffs to Muslims here as they end the celebration of Ramadan today.
Not only that, the renowned Liberian Muslim cleric and scholar thanked the Republic of Turkey, the State of Kuwait, the State of Qutar and Sports enthusiast Cassel Kuoh, and among others, for their goodwill made to the various Mosques through the donations of huge quantity of food stuffs for the Muslims during the Month of Ramadan to prepare breakfast food for the Muslims and the mid-night meal.
Grand Mufti Sumaworo, who made the assertion yesterday in an interview with the Hot Pepper, used the occasion to remind fellow Muslims in particular, and Liberians in general, that the future “of our children is important. We have to fight against anything that is expected to put our children’s future at risk.”
He pinpointed that drug abuse and the consumption harmful substances by scores of youths are said to be putting the future of Liberian youths at risk.
He then said to ensure a better future for the children of Liberia, coupled with the fight against drugs and harmful substance by Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), government needs to give maximum support to the agency to give it the teeth to bite and rid the country of said pandemic, to secure a better of today’s children.
In another development, he underscored the importance of the National Muslim Council of Liberia (NMLC) or the Islamic organizations to function in keeping their mandate rather than based on their individual political affiliations.
On the issue of the Hajj, Sheikh Sumaworo said he wants the Government of Liberia (GOL) to know that the Hajj is the issue between state and state, and any development and positive achievement will give the government a good image, and if there’s malpractice if may reflect on the image of the government.
He recalled that Article One of the document that can be exchanged between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and any government worldwide in organizing the Hajj states that it is an issue of the State of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of Liberia (GOL).
With this, Sheikh Sumaworo said Saudi Arabia requested the Liberian government to establish the Bureau of the Hajj, comprised of five persons, and wants the government to know this, if its image is to be respected.
He called on the National Muslim Council to work towards the slogan that was announced one year ago, “Reforming Movement”, while calling on the Board of Governors of the Council to discharge their duties in keeping with their responsibilities by evaluating the institution generally and some individuals or trouble- shooters in the LNMC who continue to bring about disunity in the organization, whom he did not readily name, for check and balance.