RAMADAN WITH THE MAN IN WHITE
While at my school's (Ghana Institute of Journalism) cafeteria this afternoon with a bottle of chilled Malta Guinness struggling to put some words together for this piece, a female colleague approached me. Her bane was to find why I was writing about Ramadan even though am not a Muslim as she said. Her other headache was to find out if I was doing so to occupy the territory (heart) of a Muslim lady maybe I am chasing on campus or elsewhere.
I frankly eschewed any comment since it had the propensity to cause her emotions to malfunction. I also spare her because I felt she was suffering from verbal diarrhea and perhaps her comment was born out of religious rudimentary.
I have as of last week criticized a comment from the National Peace Council calling on Muslim Youths to avoid violence and promote peace come election 2016 (Am not being too antagonistic though). A comment which in my humble view I described as pinpointing and connotes that Muslim Youths are mostly the forbearers of violence. I disliked the headline not because I was doing so either to assuage my hunger or satisfy my Master's will. But I at least someway understand the principle of religious tolerance and know several Muslims who are ambassadors of peace, and worthy to emulate.
I nearly lost focus and interest to write but once again, I felt my conscience would never forgive me should I fail to write a simple piece wishing my great and wonderful Muslims friends, colleagues and senior comrade in the likes of Bilkis Nuhu Kokroko, Mr. Zacharia Tanko, Mr. Umaru Sanda, Shayaw Mohammed Deen Abubakr, Yakub Alfa Suleiman, Miss Suruaiya Gomda; my beautiful women's commissioner and equally great other Muslims like you and you who time and space will not be friendly to, Ramadan Mubarak.
Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Mohammed which is referred to as the "best of times" according to Islamic believe. It is a period in which Muslims are encouraged to refrain from immoral relations and sinful behaviors that may negate the reward of fasting.
The actual price for observing Ramadan is summarized in the holy book Quran 2:185 and I quote "The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind and clear proofs of the guidance, and criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever is present, let him fast the month and whosoever is sick or on a journey, a number of other days. Allah desires for ease; He desire not hardship for you; and that you should complete the period and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful.
Before I loose control over words, I want to use this platform to wish all Muslims here and worldwide the very best of luck this season has got to offer. And that Allah will grant strength and guidance to observe the period with holiness, happiness and joy while interceding on behalf of mother Ghana and other nations. An effort which will be geared towards attaining the fear of God (tagwa) and to get the multiple spiritual reward (thawab) promised after fasting.
#RamadanMubarak#
#RamadanKareem#
#IamTheManInWhite#
No comments:
Post a Comment