Muslim Community celebrated Al-Hadha feast last Sunday

Title

Muslim Community celebrated Al-Hadha feast last Sunday

Creator

Celestine Tanty Agbonon

Publisher

Togo-Presse

Date

February 3, 2004

Abstract

The Muslims in Togo commemorated the feast of Al-Hadha termed Tabaski last Sunday. In Lomé, the event gathered thousands of the followers of Muhammad on the playground of the Senior Secondary School of Tokoin where the prayer of Idi-Kabir was said. On the occasion, the Head of State was represented by the Prime Minister, Mr Koffi Sama who was surrounded by some Government Dignitaries.

Page(s)

14

number of pages

1

Spatial Coverage

Lomé

Togo

Rights

Contributor

Frédérick Madore

Identifier

iwac-article-0005884

content

The Muslims in Togo commemorated the feast of Al-Hadha termed Tabaski last Sunday.

In Lomé, the event gathered thousands of the followers of Muhammad on the playground of the Senior Secondary School of Tokoin where the prayer of Idi-Kabir was said.

On the occasion, the Head of State was represented by the Prime Minister, Mr Koffi Sama who was surrounded by some Government Dignitaries.

Among the faithful Muslims, we could notice administrative and political authorities including the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Fambaré Ouattara Natchaba.

The ceremony began around 9 o’clock am. with a reading from the Koran by the Imam of the Central Mosque of Lomé, El Hadj Mamam Youssouf Guimba. Beforehand, the latter praised the Merciful Allah for having granted good health to the Muslims and allowed them to celebrate this “feast of sacrifice” in prayer and meditation, joy and fellowship.

Through his sermon, El Hadj Guimba underscored that Tabaski is not only the tradition of Abraham who, at the request of Allah, should sacrifice a white ram as a substitute for his son. According to him, this constitutes the victory of the Divine Faith over evil and unbelief in God.

Further, he paid homage to the Prophet Muhammad for all his good deeds likely to strengthen solidarity within the Muslim community in the entire world.

Besides, the Imam prayed for peace preservation in Togo, good health, forgiveness and love among all its citizens.

At the close of the prayer, all Muslims could proceed to the slaughtering of the rams, a characteristic of Al-Hadha feast. After sharing meals in families, parties were held in some quarters of the capital town.

In the afternoon, Muslims, especially children wore their most beautiful clothes and went from house to house in company with their parents and relatives, singing and rejoicing-Some of them went to the beach for picnic or mere stroll so as to have fresh air.

Celestine Tanty AGBONON