By Mercy Darko
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia last night hosted some Muslims at the Jubilee House for IFTAR, the meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break their fast during the Ramadan period. IFTAR at the Jubilee House has become an annual ritual in the past seven years to offer the Muslim community the opportunity to break their fast at the seat of government during Ramadan.
Vice President Bawumia encouraged the Muslim community to support the government, which through a special development purpose vehicle, the Zongo Development Authority, has undertaken massive projects in the Zongo communities to uplift lives.
Iftar is the meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break their fast during Ramadan. It is the main meal of the day for those who are fasting. While Iftar is a significant meal with regards to health and nutrition.
Muslims believe that it also has a spiritual meaning and significance as it is a time Allah shows special mercy and love to those who have been fasting, especially to those who provide food for others at Iftar time.
Muslims are in the last ten days of the Ramadan period, a period deemed to hold crucial blessings, mercies and power for those who take part in the fasting. It was a gathering of all the Muslim sects in Ghana, with the National Chief Imam in attendance.
The beauty of the occasion is that the gathering had several Christian Pastors and Ministers attending to trumpet the unity that exists among all religions in Ghana.
It was a period to show gratitude to God and also pray for the prosperity of Ghana. Vice President while entreating Muslims to use this period of fasting for spiritual upliftment and peace, reiterated the government’s commitment for inclusion through the various policies and programs to propel growth in the economy.
The Spokesperson of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, encouraged the Muslim community to use the last ten days of Ramadan to live the good virtues of Ramadan which peaceful co-existence is critical.
The Anglican Bishop of Accra, Rt. Rev. Bishop Dr. Daniel Sylvanus Mensah Torto, entreated political leaders to be decorous in their utterances during this election period.
Among the gathering was the wife of Vice President Hajia Samira Bawumia. Others are Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei Opare, Council of State Members, Ministers of State and Members of Parliament.
”Upholding the virtue of Gratitude, Generosity, Peace, Unity beyond Ramadan” was the focus of this year’s Iftar at the Jubilee House.
