Mufti counsels youth on ethics as faithful mark Idd el-Hajj

AS Muslims mark Idd el-Hajj today, the Chief Sheikh, Mufti Abubakar Zubeir Bin Ali, has warned youth to refrain from uncultured behaviour that might lead to the breach of the peace in the country.

Muslims around the world observe this day, which is also known as Eid el-Adha, to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to follow Allah’s (God’s) command to sacrifice his son Ismail.

In Tanzania, the celebrations will be marked at national level in Dar es Salaam at the National Muslim Council of Tanzania, BAKWATA, grounds. Sheikh Zubeir told the ‘Daily News’ yesterday that Tanzanians, regardless of their religious affiliation, must protect and uphold the prevailing peace, which is crucial for the country’s development.

“People are worried about the thoughts being planted in the minds of our youth, whether from within or outside the country, as might result in a breach of the country’s peace,” he said.

He noted that the decline of moral values among the youth has caused the group to be used by people with ill-motives to instigate chaos in the society. “We should use this day to remind our youth on the importance of moral values in our societies and the danger of being used by people with bad intentions on our country,” Sheikh Zubeir advised.

He, however, called upon Muslims in the country to celebrate Idd by helping the poor, orphans, widows, patients and street children regardless of their religions. Sheikh Zubeir also said that Muslims should celebrate the day by preaching peace, love and unity as taught in the Holy Quran.

Meanwhile, ISSA YUSSUF reports from Zanzibar that all preparations to host the important festival in Pemba were in good progress.

The Minister of State (Constitution, Legal affairs, Public Service, and Good Governance), Mr Harun Ali Suleiman, informed journalists that he has inspected venues for both prayers and Idd Baraza and was satisfied with the preparations.

“We are impressed with the level of preparation for both Idd prayers, to be held at Mkoani Ground, and Mkanyageni Village where people will gather for the Baraza,” said Mr Suleiman. Zanzibar President Ali Mohamed Shein is expected to grace both occasions.

This would be the first time for Pemba to host the Idd prayers and Baraza at national level since the government introduced rotational Idd at national level in 2012 to involve all districts. Last year’s Idd el-Hajj was held on Unguja Islands.

Centred on prayer and animal sacrifice, Idd el-Hajj symbolises Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail as a sign of devotion to Allah (God). The celebration also culminates the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), which is the fifth among the fundamental five pillars of Islam.

South Pemba Regional Commissioner Mwanajuma Majid Abdalla appealed to the faithful to turn up in big numbers for the Idd prayers.