By Issah Olegor
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has called on Ghanaians to use the Eid al-Adha celebration as a moment for genuine moral transformation, national unity and peaceful coexistence among people of different religious backgrounds.
According to the revered Islamic leader, the significance of Eid al-Adha goes beyond the slaughtering of animals and festive celebrations, stressing that the true essence of the occasion must reflect in the attitudes, behaviour and daily conduct of individuals within society.
In a message issued ahead of this year’s Eid celebrations, the Chief Imam urged Muslims and the general public to embrace values of sincerity, humility, sacrifice and compassion, noting that religion must inspire positive change capable of strengthening peace and social harmony in the country.
Quoting from the Holy Quran, Chapter 22 Verse 37, Sheikh Sharubutu explained that Allah is not interested in the flesh or blood of sacrificed animals, but rather in the sincerity, piety and righteousness behind the act of sacrifice.
“The virtues of the Eid are fruitless unless they have the capacity to guarantee attitudinal cleansing and moral ascendancy in our society,” the Chief Imam stated
His remarks come at a time Ghana continues to be widely recognized globally as one of the few African countries enjoying relatively peaceful religious coexistence between Muslims, Christians and adherents of other faiths despite growing tensions and conflicts in many parts of the world.
For decades, the National Chief Imam has consistently championed interfaith dialogue, tolerance and peaceful national coexistence, earning admiration across religious and political divides in Ghana and beyond.
The respected Islamic cleric linked the message of Eid al-Adha directly to the shared spiritual history among Islam, Christianity and Judaism, describing the celebration as one of the strongest reminders of the common moral foundation uniting the Abrahamic religions.
According to him, the story of Prophet Abraham’s obedience to God through his willingness to sacrifice his son remains a symbol of faith, submission and devotion shared by all three major religions.
He therefore urged religious leaders and followers across the country to deepen interfaith cooperation and reject divisive attitudes capable of threatening the unity and stability.
“In the darkness of socio-religious adversity, interfaith harmony serves as the light that brightens the path to prosperity,” he emphasized.
Beyond Ghana, Sheikh Sharubutu also expressed concern about rising global conflicts, violence and moral decline across several parts of the world, warning that hatred, supremacy struggles and religious intolerance continue to undermine peace and human dignity.
The Chief Imam specifically appealed to world leaders to prioritize justice, reconciliation and peaceful dialogue in handling international disputes rather than aggression and violence.
