JUST basic research reveals that Eid-ul-Adha is a Muslim observance meant to celebrate and “honour the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his first son Ishamael as an act of obedience to God.”

God/Allah did intervene at a strategic moment to save Ibrahim his Son. Confident of Ibrahim’s obedience and faith, Allah accepted a ram as a form of symbolic sacrifice indeed.

As Guyanese share in the symbolism of Muslims sharing their Eid-ul-Adha’s meat, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) joins the faithful in the observance but urges all Guyanese to reflect on some of the deeper significance of this end of Haji Eid.

Concepts such as obedience and sacrifice are paramount, but given current unfortunate realities in the Arabic/Islamic Middle East of our world, FITUG discovers another potentially-constructive element to this festival. It lies in the fact that both Sunni and Shite Muslims embrace Eid-ul-Adha which is straight from their Holy Book of Guidance, the Quran (Second Sura). It is to be hoped that this Eid will inspire more divine compassion to end the inter-religious, land-grabbing conflicts between the two sets of Muslims worldwide.

Here in Guyana, the similarities between the Christian and Islamic versions of Ibrahim’s/Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice their Sons on God’s comment and alter their obedience, resulting in God’s reprieve are all universal testimonies to the virtues of faith and sacrifice.

As we all appreciate the symbolism, albeit in practical generosity, of the gifts of sacrificial meats, let us resolve to join the Muslim community, in both celebration and resolve, in maintaining peace and the gift of giving.

Eid Mubarak!