Tuesday, 26th May, 2026
Hon Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah
Salaga South
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity for me to make this Statement on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, which falls tomorrow across the world.
Mr Speaker, I rise on behalf of the National Chief Imam, the National Muslim Conference of Ghana, and the Muslim Caucus of Parliament to extend warm felicitations to Muslims across Ghana and the world on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice. Historical Development of Eid alAdha Mr Speaker, Eid al-Adha traces its origin to the act of obedience of Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, as recorded in the Holy Qur’an, Surah As-Saaffat, chapter 37:102-107.
In fulfilment of a divine command, Ibrahim prepared to sacrifice his son Ismail. At the moment of submission, Almighty Allah intervened and substituted a ram, affirming that true sacrifice lies in obedience and trust in Allah. This event was institutionalised in Islam following the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It became linked to the Hajj pilgrimage, where pilgrims in Mina perform the ritual sacrifice, Qurbani, and distribute the meat to family, neighbours and the needy.
In Ghana, Islam has been present since the 10th century through transSaharan trade and the influence of the Mali and Songhai empires. Eid al-Adha was observed for centuries in Muslim communities in Dagbon, Gonja, Mamprugu and other areas. After independence in 1957, the Republic of Ghana recognised Eid al-Adha as a statutory public holiday, reflecting our constitutional commitment to religious freedom and pluralism under Article 21 of the 1992 Constitution. Today, it is observed nationwide as a day of prayer, reflection and community.
Spiritual and Moral Values of Eid alAdha
Mr Speaker, Eid al-Adha embodies the following core values that transcend faith and speak to our national lives.
i. Submission and Obedience: It reminds us that progress requires humility before a higher purpose and willingness to act on duty, even when it demands personal sacrifice.
ii. Faith and Trust: The story of Ibrahim and Ismail teaches that trust in God and in just processes sustains us through trials.
iii. Charity and Solidarity: The distribution of sacrificial meat institutionalises care for the neighbour and reinforces social responsibility.
iv. Patience and Perseverance: The narrative encourages steadfastness in the face of hardship and moral tests.
The Need to Observe Eid in Peace, Harmony and Service to the Vulnerable
Mr Speaker, Ghana’s strength lies in our religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence. As we celebrate, I urge all Ghanaians, particularly the Muslim Ummah, to observe Eid al-Adha in an atmosphere of peace, mutual respect and harmony. The festival calls us to remember those who are poor, vulnerable and marginalised.
The essence of Qurbani is not in the slaughter itself, but in sharing what we have with others. I therefore appeal to all to extend generosity to widows, orphans, the aged, persons with disabilities and families facing hardship. In doing so, we embody the true spirit of Eid and strengthen the social fabric of our nation.
Conclusion
Mr Speaker, the Muslim caucus commends the Muslim community for its contribution to national development and for upholding values of discipline, service and community cohesion. As we mark this occasion, may the lessons of sacrifice, obedience and compassion inspire all of us in Parliament and across Ghana to place the common good above self-interest and to work together for a just, united and prosperous nation. Eid Mubarak. May Allah accept our sacrifices and bless our beloved country with peace and prosperity.
I thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Hon Mustapha Ussif
Yagaba-Kubori
Mr Speaker, thank you so much for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement eloquently made by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Salaga South.
Mr Speaker, in the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful, all praise due to Allah, for granting us another opportunity to witness this blessed Eid al-Adha occasion again; a season of sacrifice, obedience, compassion and gratitude.
Mr Speaker, like the maker of the Statement rightly mentioned, Eid alAdha reminds us of unwavering faith and devotion of the Prophet Abraham, may peace and blessings be upon him, who submitted completely to the command of our creator, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala (SWT). It teaches us the values of sincerity, sacrifice, patience and total trust in one’s creator. As we celebrate this blessed festival, we encourage all Muslims across the globe to strengthen their faith and devotion to Allah and promote peace, unity, and brotherhood within our communities.
Mr Speaker, I also extend kindness and support to the less privileged in our society during this festive season. Let us all, the Muslim Ummah and even our Christian brothers and sisters as well as everyone, share love, compassion, and generosity with families, neighbours and society at large. May Allah accept our sacrifices, prayer and good deeds and may he bless our homes with peace, prosperity, good health and abundance of mercy.
Mr Speaker, I would like to use this opportunity to also pray for our Ghanaian pilgrims and all pilgrims who are currently in Arafat today. Today is one of the blessed days on the Muslim calendar within the year. As we are seated here, we pray that Allah may bring all Muslims gathered at Mount Arafat, observing the holiness of the day, back home safely. Thank you so much, Mr Speaker.
Hon Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo
Wa Central
Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, let me thank the maker of the Statement for this very important Statement on the occasion of the Eid al– Adha, which comes off tomorrow in Ghana.
As narrated, this is the remembrance of a high-level sacrifice made by Abraham when God commanded him to use his son Ismail as a sacrifice. Abraham did not hesitate. He went ahead and told his son what he was going to do. His son did not hesitate, and indeed both of them obeyed the commands of Allah. Abraham obeyed the commands of Allah. His son obeyed the command of Abraham.
So, this Eid is a time of sacrifice, obedience and reflection. It is a time of the demonstration of a high-level faith in the one God that we all believe in, that when God commands, we obey. It also has a direct consequence on how we live our lives. One cannot obey Allah directly as a human being in our world today, but one can obey commands sent to another person to them. So, in the Abrahamic religions, in which Islam finds itself, it is a command that allows us to understand how faith is demonstrated through another person, but from God.
Mr Speaker, this day marks the beginning of the worship we go to do in the holy lands of Mecca and today is also the day of the Arafat. It is believed strongly by Islam, that it was at Mount Arafat that this thing happened. So today, they climb Mount Arafat to worship Allah and to remember what God authorised man to do.
Mr Speaker, all sacrifices are because people want to obey the command of Allah. That is God. So, in the present circumstance, what we are asking everybody to do, especially those who believe very strongly in the Abrahamic religions, is to begin to reflect on what God has commanded us to do, simply to obey him and to do his wish.
On the day of the Arafat, which is today and on the Eid day tomorrow, we are calling on all Ghanaians to unite our efforts. Allah does not exist if we do not believe in him. So, it is a call on all of us to unite our efforts to build Ghana. It is the best thing to do when one wants to obey Allah. It is to say that one would sacrifice for their neighbour, and one’s neighbour is the person next to them and that is a fellow Ghanaian.
Mr Speaker, on this day, we call on all Ghanaians to see Ghana as a nation we are all fighting to develop. On this day, we call on everybody to celebrate the day. This is why the Government of Ghana has declared tomorrow, the Eid day, as a holiday. This is so that, we can have the day as a day of holiday, get together, unite our efforts, begin to reflect and soul search from where we come from on how we can build Ghana to be what it is.
Mr Speaker, I wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters the best of luck. Thank you.
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