By Magdalene S. Konneh
Hundreds of Muslims in the Sierra Leone community gathered to pray, commemorating Eid al-Fitr, which signifies the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.
In Australia, members of the Sierra Leone Muslim Association came together at Graf Park in Yagoona, NSW, on Wednesday morning to perform the Eid Al Fitr prayers and celebrate the successful completion of Ramadan.
Eid al-Fitr, also known as the feast or festival of breaking the fast, commences with congregational prayers to express gratitude to Allah. This is followed by festivities that often involve family visits and gatherings filled with delicious food.
The Chief Imam, Sheikh Saadu Bah, led the Eid Al Fitr prayers and delivered a sermon to the Sierra Leoneans at the event.
During his lecture, Sheikh Saadu emphasised the importance of remaining steadfast in faith and encouraged Islam followers always to recognise Allah’s significance in their lives.
“As we embark on this journey of upholding values and building a respectable community, let us do so with unwavering determination. In such times, we must stay firm in our beliefs and refuse to be swayed by the world’s pressures”.
“Our dedication to our principles should be unyielding, and our commitment to creating a better society should be resolute. We must not waver in adversity but stand tall for what we believe in”, he said.
Adding that as they immerse themselves in the blessings of Ramadan, they should not use it as an excuse to hold onto their religion merely. Ramadan, he affirmed, is a time of self-reflection and spiritual growth, where they are encouraged to strengthen their connection with Allah and strive for personal development.
“It is not a time to hide behind the rituals and traditions of our faith; rather, it is an opportunity to truly embody the teachings of Islam and positively impact the world around us.”
“Let us take this blessed month as a reminder of the values that Islam teaches us—compassion, kindness, and generosity. These values should be practised during Ramadan and ingrained in our daily lives. We should strive to be compassionate towards others, showing empathy and understanding in our interactions.”
“We should be kind to those around us, helping and spreading love wherever we go. And we should be generous with our time, resources, and knowledge, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need”.
Shiekh Saadu reminds the jamaat to remain dedicated to upholding values and building a respectable community. Stating they should not use Ramadan as an excuse to cling to their religion but instead use it as a catalyst for positive change and personal growth.
“Let us embody the teachings of Islam in our everyday lives and strive to make a lasting impact on the world around us. Together, we can create a society rooted in love, compassion, and respect for all”, he concludes.
