Ghanaian journalist, Umaru Sanda Amadu, is displeased with the government’s decision to provide Muslims with only one public statutory holiday to commemorate this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr.
In a Twitter post, the Citi FM\TV journalist argued that currently, it is unknown exactly which day Eid-ul-Fitr falls as no one has been able to sight the new moon yet.
For Mr Sanda Amadu, it is unacceptable, although understandable that the Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, went ahead to announce Saturday, April 22, as Eid-ul-Fitr which would later be observed on Monday, April 24, since it falls on a weekend.
“No Muslim is certain when the Eid-ul-Fitr will be! But Ghana’s Minister for The Interior has already stated that it’ll be on Saturday. I don’t blame him. By law, he’s supposed to announce a Holiday, days ahead which he does after consultations.
Muslims know that the Eid…could be on Friday or Saturday, depending on whether or not we sight the new crescent on Thursday evening,” Mr Sanda Amadu wrote.
It is expected that the new crescent will be observed on Thursday evening but that information is not guaranteed.
Mr Sanda Amadu therefore believes it would be wise enough to declare two holidays to ensure Muslims are not deprived should the moon be witnessed on Thursday evening or later than the expected date.
“Muslims deserve two days holiday for Eid because from the foregoing, if Eid falls on Friday, which is possible, Muslim workers can’t celebrate because it’s not a holiday!” he suggested.
could be on Friday or Saturday, depending on whether or not we sight the new crescent 🌙 on Thursday evening. Muslims deserve two days holiday for Eid because from the foregoing, if Eid falls on Friday, which is possible, Muslim workers can't celebrate because it's not a holiday! pic.twitter.com/AfYTPYrJdP
— Cowboy Journalist (@UmaruSanda) April 18, 2023
As it stands now, “His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, has by Executive Instrument (E), in accordance with Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, (Act 601) declared Monday, 24th April 2023 as an additional public holiday”.
Eid-ul-Fitr serves as an avenue for Muslims to crown Ramadan. This year’s month-long fasting by Muslims started on March 22, 2023, to mark the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Ramadan
Ramadan is the Arabic name for the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.
It is considered one of the holiest months for Muslims and is marked by a period of fasting, considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which include faith, prayer, charity and the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Muslims have an early morning meal before dawn, known as suhoor or sehri.
They do not eat or drink anything including water until they break their fast after sunset for the evening meal, called iftar or fitoor.
Fasting is observed only by those in good health.
Some Muslims are exempt:
- Those who are sick or ill and whose health will be affected by fasting
- Children who have not reached puberty – although some begin to practise fasting before then
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women
- Menstruating women
- Travellers
Source: The Independent Ghana