His Excellency President Adama Barrow on Saturday, July 9th joined the rest of the Muslim Ummah around the world to celebrate the grand feast of Eid-ul Adha locally called Tobaski.
The President was joined by cabinet ministers and other government dignitaries at the King Fahad Mosue in Banjul, where the Imam Ratib of Banjul led the congregational prayer for hundreds of worshippers.
Eid-ul Adha, the latter of the two major Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide every year, honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to Allah’s command.
The hallmark of the occasion is the slaughtering of a sacrificial animal in a ram, a bull, a cow, camel, goat or sheep.
At the King Fahad Mosque, the Imam Ratib Imam Cherno Mass Kah preached love, unity and tolerance. He also delved into the significance of the day and the virtues of caring and sharing.
Speaking to the press shortly after the congregational prayer, President Barrow echoed the chief Imam’s advise for tolerance, unity and reconciliation.
The Gambia is at least 95 percent Muslim majority country; hence the celebrations verberate across the length and breadth of the country. The Eid is a moment to supplicate and glorify the celestial qualities of Allah and recommit to total submission to his command. However, the occasion also offers specially opportunity to reach out to loved ones, seek forgives from one another; thus enhance social cohesion.