PPP/C says ‘festival of sacrifice’ is an occasion to emphasise discipline needed for success
THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic extends greetings to all Guyanese, particularly the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha (‘festival of sacrifice’) which will be observed today, October 16, 2013.
The PPP/C notes that Eid-ul-Adha celebrates the occasion when Allah appeared to Ibrahim in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his only son Isma’il as an act of obedience.

The festival remembers Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son as a test of faith and the rewards he received thereafter. Against this backdrop it is understood as an opportunity for second chances.
The Party recognises the importance of this sacrifice that symbolises selflessness and faith. It also celebrates the triumph over evil and temptation and the freedom of humanity, as it is a period of sharing of sacrifice to the poor, friends and neighbours.
It is also marked by the renewal of faith and purification after the Hajj, which are important attributes of Islam.
This occasion is fitting for the PPP/C to reaffirm our call for a national conversation on the need to take back our communities from indiscipline and lack of tolerance. The message of Eid-ul-Adha is an example of the discipline and commitment needed, if we are to be successful.

CIOG President extends Eid Mubarak to Muslims and Guyanese community at large
ON this holy and auspicious day of Eid-ul-Adha (October 16th 2013), I would like on behalf of the executives of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), my family and I to extend Eid  Mubarak to the Muslims and the Guyanese community at large, says CIOG President Fazeel Ferouz. May Allah guide and protect us all.
ALLAHU Akbar Allahu Akbar, AllahuAkhbar, La illa ha illah la, Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar, Wallil ah lilHamd.
Allah is the Greatest! Allah is the Greatest and there is no God but AllahAllah is the Greatest! Allah is the Greatest and to Him belongs all Praise.
My dear brothers and sisters – I greet you with the universal greetings of Islam.  Assalam-O-Alaikum.  May the peace mercy and blessing of Allah be with you all.
The CIOG President says: “My Respected Brothers and Sisters Eid-ul-Adha is not only about slaughtering of animals  and sharing meat to the poor and needy, our friends and family. The most important part of this holy and auspicious day is that it is a day of reflection; it is a day of rededicating our life to the service of the Creator and Sustainer of this Universe. It is a day of understanding that in order to effect any change in our masjids, community, society or the world at large we have to start first by changing ourselves.
“When we are going to sacrifice an animal we must understand that we are going to sacrifice our evil inclinations, egos and unworthy deeds at the same time. By doing the sacrifice, we are pledging to make a change for the better of ourselves, our family, our community and our country.
“We have to submit to the commands of Allah (SWT) and follow the path of our Holy and Noble Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahualaihiwasallam), love what he loved and stay away what he dispraised. It is by following the ways of Abraham (AS) and our Prophet (sallallaahualaihiwasallam) that we will understand the true meaning and spirit of Eid-ul-Adha or Qurbani.
“In the present world where there are economic and financial crises, global warming, the rise in poverty levels, increase in the use of alcohol, drugs, widespread violence against women and children and sometimes almost total disregard for basic human rights, it is a time for us to reflect on our own sacrifices and the need to be connected back with the Creator to be guided to attain prosperity and peace within our societies and ourselves.
“We are as Muslims blessed with countless opportunities to serve our fellow inhabitants of the world. But this involves sacrifice – sacrifice of our time, energies and resources motivated by a desire to bring people together and work with them in the pursuit of creating a society that is built on the ideals of respect, understanding and goodwill.
“Promoting justice and peace are responsibilities that rest on the shoulders of all those who are heirs to the Abrahamic tradition and as one such community, let us, as Muslims, be foremost in this struggle.
“Let us on this auspicious day, pray for peace and unity in the Ummah, our beautiful country and the world, protection from natural calamities and any economic and financial difficulties we may face and for all our Muslims brethren in the world. Let us dedicate ourselves to work for the development of our community, our country and humanity as a whole.
“Over the last decade our Muslim brothers and sisters have made great strides in the business and civic communities and we do hope this success continues in the future.
“We learn from Prophet Abraham (AS) to always upkeep righteousness, peace and  justice in our societies. May Allah (SWT) accept our sacrifices, and May Allah (SWT) keep us all on the straight path, guide and protect us all. May Allah (SWT) forgive us.”
The CIOG President also notes that this festival “commemorates one of the greatest acts of sacrifice in the annals of human history. The Prophet Abraham (AS) his wife Hagar and their first born son Ishmael were all tested by Allaah the Almighty. They as a family have proven togetherness in faith, righteousness and a will to surrender themselves to the laws and commands of the Almighty.
“The Prophet Abraham (AS) had a lifetime struggle in the mission to teach the oneness of God Almighty in an age of darkness, corruption, oppression, prejudice and ignorance.
“As the Prophet (AS) grew older, his desire for a child grew stronger but his wife Sarah was barren. His supplication to the Almighty was: “O my Lord! Grant me a pious son.” Ch 37 v 101. Against the backdrop of all these years of childlessness, suffering and anguish, the Almighty gifted Abraham (AS) with a son, Ishmael (AS), a mercy to the aged Prophet.
“He loved this son immensely and the young Ishmael grew up in a house filled with joy and love. In a dream the Prophet Abraham (AS) was commanded to sacrifice what he loved most and he interpreted it to be his son.
“An amazing example of being true servants of God Almighty: Abraham (AS) told his son: O my Son, I see in a vision that I offer you in sacrifice. Now see what is your view? Ishmael’s response was: O my Father do as you were commanded. You will find me, if Allah (SWT) wills, patient and constant. They totally submitted to the command of Allah (SWT), and passed the test; Allaah (SWT) thus rewarded them with a ram for the sacrifice.
“Thereafter, God Almighty commanded our Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAS) sallallaahualaihiwasallam to commemorate this great act by making it a part of the Hajj rituals in the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the fifth pillar of Islam, and compulsory on all Muslims who can afford it.
“The essence of the sacrifice is aptly summed up in these verses of the Holy Quran – which are recited before the animal sacrifice, the dua of the Prophet Abraham (AS): “I have set my face firmly and truly towards Him who created the heavens and the earth and never shall I associate with Allah (SWT) anyone.”
“Truly my prayers and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are all for Allah Almighty, the Sustainer of the universe, no partner has HE. This I am commanded and I am among those who submit onto HIS will.”

Muslim Youth League: Let our actions be guided by love
THE Muslim Youth League (MYO) has expressed greetings to all Guyanese, especially the Muslim Community, on the occasion of Eid-Ul-Azah.
The MYO says that the Act of Prophet Ibrahim, the greatest friend to Allah, signifies, his sincerity, reverence and faith in God Almighty, therefore by his example each of us should make sacrifices in our lives if we are to be true believers.
“On this occasion, it is not the meat that is important, but it must be the sincere desire of each of us to commit ourselves to be good human beings, and to be caring and compassionate to our fellow man, regardless, of religious, racial or cultural differences.
“Therefore let our actions be guided by love from our heart for our fellow man, respect for each other and live in harmony through peace with devotion to God Almighty,” the MYO urges.

FITUG salutes Guyana’s Islamic community on occasion of Eid-ul-Adha – Says: “May we be inspired to higher causes of service”
THE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) salutes Guyana’s Islamic community on the occasion of one of their more inspiration festivals of their faith.  FITUG says: “May this Eid-ul-Adha festival 2013 inspire Muslims to influence all Guyanese to higher causes of service and obedience in the national interest.”
FITUG also notes that “Eid-ul-Adha stands out for a variety of reasons. The lessons of sacrifice and service emanating from Ibrahim’s obedience to God’s command to sacrifice his son are as powerful today as they were unprecedented in Mecca thousands of years ago. The Eid-ul-Adha story is also strikingly similar to the Christian version in the Holy Bible. The message of obedience to the divine will and the need for sacrifices before achievement is, therefore, still universal.”
Moreover, FITUG “urges Muslims and all Guyana to explore briefly the powerful origins of Eid-ul-Adha. It will be discovered that the Supreme Creator finds ways to test the sincerity of faith of so-called believers. And it will be realised that selflessness can eventually bear fruit even for an obedient adherent to righteous beliefs and guidance.”
FITUG points out also that “Sacrifice for progress is needed in the Guyana of today” and the Federation “sees the need for give-and-take and compromise in national life and undertaken even if one party feels that it will “lose” something somehow. Sacrifice is often a forerunner and ingredient for success – at both personal and community/national levels. Happy Eid-ul-Adha.”

GAWU says festivals such as this particular Eid can inspire all of us to higher, selfless service
THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) says that even as mankind is caught up in continuous life-long efforts to achieve personal and international peace; to acquire material and economic well-being based on education, good health and security, the peoples of the world realised that spiritual understanding and the solace it brings, can itself be the bedrock for all peace and progress – mankind’s very survival.
GAWU in its Eid-ul-Adha message notes that world religions provide guidance through their prophets and holy literature. Islam is unquestionably now a world-wide faith guiding the destiny of millions.
Against those reflections, GAWU declares that it is again pleased to share in the Eid-ul-Adha joy of our Islamic Community as it observes the feast and festival of the sacrifice.
The willingness of Ibrahim to obey God’s (Allah’s) command to sacrifice his dearest “possession” – his only son – must be a spiritual inspiration to all Muslims in terms of both obedience to their God and submission to the highest form of sacrifice – a pillar of the Islamic Faith.
GAWU enjoins Guyana’s Muslims to be beacons of sacrifice and services in all areas of national life. Festivals such as this particular Eid can inspire all of us to higher, selfless service.
A happy Eid-ul-Adha to the Muslim community from GAWU!

IAC urges special prayers for continued peace – so our country can move forward with prosperity
THE Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) says that Eid-UI- Adha is a time for believers to learn the value of self-denial by making a sacrifice of the things they love, to Almighty God.
Abraham’s great act of submission is thus regarded solely as an example of genuine surrender to the will of his creator. Today, more than ever, human beings need to incorporate the lesion of this great sacrifice with humility thus underlining the importance of the festival in memory of Prophet Abraham’s great act of faith, many centuries ago.
In the spirit of sacrifice, let’s not forget the poor and needy in our community, by sharing the sacrificial offerings with them. Let it be our sincere hope and prayer that we are able to affirm the unity among our peoples and between Islam and other religions.
The message of Eid-UI -Adha is an example of co-existence and cooperation of mutual benefit the world can learn from. This festival incorporates the grate pilgrimage to Mecca or the performance of the Hajj. Over two million pilgrims from the world over, covering all races, economic and social background gather, only for one purpose, humbleness.
IAC congratulates our brothers and sisters from home, who have undertaken this journey and extend good wishes for their safe return. Today as our Muslim brothers and sisters observe Eid-UI –Adha, the IAC urges that special prayers be offered for continued peace, so that our country can move forward with prosperity. Eid Mubarak!

PNCR urges renewed commitment to ideals and spiritual foundation of this nation
THE People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) extends greetings to the Muslim Community in Guyana and, indeed, to all Guyanese, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.
On this occasion, the PNCR notes, Muslims recognise the value of self-denial and the sacrifice of the things they love. The act of submission by the Prophet Abraham is an example of genuine surrender to the will of God, which should be emulated by all.
However, the PNCR states that “It is unfortunate that harmony and development in Guyana is still hampered by ethnic tensions; threats to the security and safety of life and property of the average citizen; the frightening rise in domestic violence; the escalating murder rate; the overwhelming influence and negative impact of narco-trafficking; endemic corruption at all levels; gross violations of human rights; the decline in moral values in public life; the growing army of Guyanese who are being driven into poverty by the harsh impact of the cost-of-living, due, in part, to the unconscionable 16% VAT; lack of well paying jobs and the glaring failures of the education system.”
The PNCR declares, therefore, that it is calling “on our Muslim brothers and sisters, along with all other Guyanese, on this hallowed occasion, to renew their commitment to the ideals and the spiritual foundation of this nation, as well as the building of an inclusive political culture, which could facilitate the development and prosperity of the nation, while ensuring that all of our citizens are able to fullfil their true potential. It is only by the personal commitment of all Guyanese citizens to the above ideals that our country can return to the path of development into a Nation characterised by unity, harmony, justice, equity and a sense of decency at all levels.”
The Party also “wishes every Guyanese a peaceful Eid-ul-Adha and restates our commitment to religious freedom, national unity, tolerance and the positive values of cultural and religious diversity. Eid Mubarak!”

AFC says Eid-ul-Adha teaches that there is hope even in the darkest time
THE Alliance For Change (AFC) says that as Muslims in Guyana and the world over celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, the Party extends best wishes and prayers for strengthened faith.
“On this occasion, we are reminded of the value of sacrifice and obedience to God. The willingness of Ibrahim and Ishmael to obey their creator, their total submission to his will and Allah’s provision of a ram to replace Ishmael of the sacrificial altar, teaches us that there is hope even in the darkest time.”
According to the AFC, “Life in Guyana has become one of constant sacrifice, especially for thousands of poor, ordinary citizens who find it hard to put a meal on the table, to send their children to school, to pay their bills or just to make ends meet.”
The AFC said further that it “wants you to know that your sacrifice will not be in vain and will not endure forever. The time for change is fast approaching.”
The AFC also urges all “Guyanese; our Muslim brothers and sisters, our Christian and Hindu brothers and sisters, indeed our sisters and brothers of all faiths, not to be led astray by those bent on corruption and evil-doing but to remain steadfast and obedient, committed to good works. Eid Mubarak!”