President Ali calls for daily sacrifice, unity and peace as Guyanese observe Eid al-Adha
Marking one of the holiest observances in the Islamic lunar calendar, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali prayed alongside the faithful on the West Coast of Demerara on Wednesday morning, calling on Guyanese to embrace the spirit of sacrifice, patience, and peace as a daily obligation.
Guyanese Muslims are observing Eid al-Adha, also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice”, commemorating Prophet Abraham’s unwavering devotion to God, even when commanded by the divine to sacrifice his son Ismael.
The festival of Eid-ul-Adha is observed through communal prayers, the ritual sacrifice of livestock, and the sharing of meat with family, neighbours, and those in need.
Speaking to worshippers at the Leonora Masjid, President Ali described the day as one of “ultimate obedience,” reminding the congregants that faith, rooted in prayer and adherence to the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), must be strongest when circumstances are most onerous.
“When the most is expected of us, and the circumstances are dire, that is when we need to showcase the extent of our faith and the patience of our faith,” President Ali said.
He stressed that the spirit of sacrifice extends beyond the ritual act itself, urging Guyanese, as individuals, community members, and leaders, to commit daily to building better families, stronger communities, and a more developed nation.
“The sacrifice today is not only a one-off act. It is a reminder to us of what is expected of us every single day of our lives,” he said.
President Ali closed with a prayer for national and global peace, calling on all of humanity to recognise their shared duty to pursue peace, not through conflict, but through how they live their lives each day.
