PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday urged Tanzanians to keep praying for the nation’s unity and refrain from divisive acts.
Dr Samia shared the statement through her official Twitter account @SuluhuSamia as she wished Tanzanians a joyful Eid al-Adha.
“I wish you a joyful Eid al-Adha. Let’s celebrate the festive in harmony and with love, while keeping in mind those in need,” reads part of her tweet.
She added, “Let us also use this day to continue praying to God, to accept our prayers, forgive our mistakes, guide us in righteousness, truth, and justice, continue to be united, and keep us away from everything that intends to divide us.”
Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice is the second and the larger of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam. It honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, as an act of obedience to God’s command.
Eid al-Adha is an occasion of joy and peace, where people celebrate with their families, let go off past grudges and make meaningful connections with one another.
The history of this occasion traces back to 4,000 years ago when Allah appeared in Prophet Abraham’s dream ordering him to sacrifice what he loved the most.
To mark this occasion, Muslims re-enact Ibrahim’s obedience with the symbolic sacrifice of a lamb, goat, cow, camel, or another animal that is then divided into threes to be shared equally among family, friends and the needy.
Around the world, Eid traditions and festivities vary and different countries have unique cultural approaches to this important festival. In Tanzania, Muslims wear new clothes and attend open-air prayer meetings. They may sacrifice a sheep or goat and share the meat with family members, neighbours and the poor.
In his Eid al-Adha message, Acting Sheikh of Dar es Salaam Region Walid Alhad Omari urged Muslims to use the Eid al-Adha celebrations to examine their way of living, as the day is set aside for that reason.
“Today is a day to reconsider and determine whether our ways are above or below the standards that God has set for us. The best thing we can do is to follow what God requires of us,” he stated.
He added that Eid encompasses more than just feasting, accepting invites, and going out for funny activities. The faith leader reaffirmed that the essence of Eid is obeying God’s laws and directives, which ensures that one is on the safe side and is regarded as a good person.
Sheikh Omari added that when God asked Ibrahim to slaughter his only son in order to test his faith, Ibrahim triumphed and was later given the title “father of faith.”
Also, Sheikh Omari ended the interpretation of the Quran in relation to Eid al-Adha saying Ibrahim was credited as the defender of faith by sticking to God’s instruction given through a dream and his only child was rescued.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa was among those who took part in Eid al-Adha prayers at Mohammed VI Mosque in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam and wished Tanzanians a happy Eid.
Others in attendance were Dar es salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila and Tanzania’s Chief Sheikh, Mufti Abubakar Zubeir Bin Ally.
