By Abraham Donkor & Loius Ofori
Vice President Mahamoud Bawumia has emphasized the need for Muslims to uphold the tenets of Ramadan, and to enjoy the benefits that come with it. He observed that the holy month of Ramadan is a critical time in Islam that offers an opportunity for Muslims to renew their faith in Allah, as well as draw strength to overcome challenges that beset them. It is therefore imperative for Muslims to abstain from acts that have the tendency to prevent them from enjoying the blessings of the Ramadan period. The Vice President said this in a speech read for him at the National ‘IFTAR’ prayer programme organised by the Qatar Charity, a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with the Zongo Development Fund at the National Mosque in Accra.
Presidential Coordinator for the Zongo Development Fund, Ben Abdallah Banda said the Fund is focused on changing the narrative of Zongo dwellers, saying it will continue to partner with other organisations with similar values to achieve that aim. He noted that ‘since the creation of the erstwhile Ministry of Inner Cities and Zongo Development, the Qatar Charity has been a stakeholder in the discharge of the Ministry and the Fund’s mandate of developing the Inner Cities and Zongos across the country.
Indeed, what we are witnessing is not the first of its kind. Making a case for stronger collaboration.
”…. I can only wish for the continuation of such virtue and continue to ask for more of such interventions as the Secretariat, the Fund and your organisation work collectively to ensure inclusive transformation of the inner cities and Zongos’ In an interview with GBC News, the CEO of the Zongo Development Fund, Arafat Sulemana Abdulai indicated that the 10th day of the Holy month is significant to followers of the Holy Prophet, and found the need to reminisce the day.
”The tenth day of Ramadan is considered special by the traditions of the Prophet and his followers. We know when they were alive on this particular day, they met and did things in common. And as we keep telling our people, when we meet like this, there are several positives we can take away. In Islam, there are times when we leave our individualism aside and come together and do things in unity. For that matter, we should do it often, not because it is Ramadan.”
Mr. Sulemana emphasized the need for Muslims to observe all requirements associated with the holy month in order to enjoy its full benefits.
”Ramadan is a special month, and it comes with blessings. We would urge our Muslim brothers and sisters to be mindful of this and make sure that they get from Ramadan the maximum God has put in place for the Umar’’.
The Qatar Foundation, a humanitarian-oriented NGO, in partnership with the Zongo Development Fund among others has been organising Eid outreaches as part of its mandates during such periods in Zongos to lend a helping hand to those in need, also champion development in such communities.
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