NEWS COMMENTARY
DATE OF B/CAST: 06-06-2024
TIME OF B/CAST: 0645 & 1715 HRS.
TOPIC: SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CELEBRATION OF TWENTY TWENTY-FIVE EID UL ADHA
WRITER: HABIBATULLAH OΝΑΚΡΑ ABDALLAH
INTRODUCTION
As Muslims worldwide celebrate the twenty twenty- five Eid ul Adha today, Habibatullah Onakpa Abdallah of Our News and Current Affairs Department writes on the significance of the celebration.
Eid ul Adha or Eid El Kabir is the second major festival in Islam celebrated by Muslims world wide to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion to Allah (SWT) in faith, obedience and sacrifice and was ready to slaughter his son Ismail before he was replaced with the ram which is now a symbol of sacrifice by Muslims.
In the glorious Qur’an, Surat 37 verse 102, Allah narrated explicitly how he tested prophet Ibrahim when he ordered him to sacrifice Ismail who was the only son then.
In commemoration of this intervention, animals are ritually sacrificed with Part of the meat consumed by the family that offers the animal, while the rest is distributed to the poor and the needy in addition to the exchange of other gift items and visit to friends and extended family members.
According to Islamic calendar, Eid Ul Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhu hijjah and last for four days, while in the international Gregorian calendar, the dates vary from year to year, shifting approximately eleven days earlier each year.
The celebration of Eid Ul Adha is not only an annual ritual, but a religious duty as enshrined in the Qur’an and demonstrated by prophet Muhammad.
Eid El Kabir also provides opportunity for Muslims to emulate the example of prophet Ibrahim as a means to building inter faith connection with people of other faiths.
Basically, Muslims are expected to mark the event beyond the annual ritual of animal sacrifice, socialization and underscore the essence of the celebration which is faith, humility and total obedience to Allah.
It is imperative to know that the animal sacrifice in itself has nothing to do with atonement of the sins of Muslims as Allah does not require the flesh and blood of animals nor that of humans in that regard.
Muslims are expected to imbibe one of the lessons of Eid El Kabir which is patience, as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim through acceptance of the will of Allah against all odds.
Eid-el-kabir is also a season that calls for rededication to the cause of mankind, to appreciate the gift of life by imbibing the virtues of tolerance, understanding and good neighborliness.
This year’s Eid El Kabir is very significant in many respect, as it is being celebrated barely two years into the administration of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It behooves on Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for the administration to succeed in its commitment to renew the hope of the citizens.
It is also important that Nigerians begin to embrace farming as prices of food stuff and other valuables have increased abnormally and support charitable causes as there is no better time than now.
Further more, Muslims are advised to use the occasion to spread the message of tolerance, mutual coexistence, love, good neighborliness peace and harmony, especially among the different ethnic groups in the state and the country at large.
Traditional, political and religious leaders at all levels are also reminded to always speak the truth and respect the rule of law towards attaining an egalitarian society.
Leaders at all levels must learn to sacrifice their personal interest and ambitions like prophet Ibrahim for the unity and progress of Nigeria, while religious leaders are expected to use the occasion to pray fervently for the improvement of the economy of the nation.
Muslims must also reflect on and imbibe the essence of the sacrifice which is humility, patience, absolute faith in God as exemplified by prophet Ibrahim for the promotion of harmonious relationship in the society.
It is also imperative for them to also use the occasion to promote peaceful coexistence among different ethnic and religious groups in kogi state and across the country.
In the same vein, Muslims should endeavor to pray for Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo,led administration as it commences payment of leave bonuses to the state civil servants which has made this year’s celebration easier for beneficiaries as well as the clearing of all borrowed monies by past administrations among other noble steps to ameliorate the suffering of the people.
When these are done by Muslims, Nigeria will obviously become a pride and home to all, no matter the religious, political, tribal and geographical differences.
THAT COMMENTARY ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EID EL KABIR WAS WRITTEN BY HABIBATULLAH ΟΝΑΚΡΑ ABDALLAH OF OUR NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND READ FROM OUR STUDIOS.
