By Godwin Abedican

Arua

As Muslims across the world celebrated the Eid-Al-Adha across the world on Wednesday 28^th June 20203, in Arua city during the prayers that took place at Arua primary school play grounds, the Muslim faithful especially the youth were warned against accepting to be lured in to subversive activities that are meant to put the religion of Islam on the wrong side of the margin.
 
Sheikh Abdu Shaban Jaffar Karala, the district Khadi Arua Muslim district while leading the Eid day prayers appealed to the Muslims especially the youth to desist from evil practices that many people are indulging in and claim to be within the practices of Islam. “In Arua, there is a tendency of the youth becoming unruly because of some issues like drug abuse. We are trying to tell them that, Islam is not being unruly, Islam is not violence, and Islam is peace” he said.
 
He also condemned the recent attacks that took place at Lhubiriha secondary school in Kasese district by suspected Allied Democratic Force (ADF) rebels in which over 40 people lost their lives. “We join other brothers and sisters, condemn9ng the acts that happened in Kasese, of killing more than 40 innocent students for no crime by those who were alleging to be Muslims yet they are not.

Islam does not encourage killing, violence and chaos. Islam is peace and we submit to the will of Allah, that Allah has chosen somebody to be where he is, that is the will of Allah. We don’t encourage and we don’t preach violence. Those who are doing so, they are not part of our community and we are not part of them,” Sheikh Jaffar painfully added.
 
Alice Akello, the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Arua, while speaking to the Muslim faithful calls for security cautiousness during all celebrations that take place in the city given the wave of insecurities happening in the city. “As we celebrate this day, let there are no bad elements that have infiltrated the city, they have rented houses near us, they have rented houses in the city and their plans are bad. Some of them have evil intentions. Let’s take charge of our security. There are some who take these as opportunities to disguise as Muslims and do bad things in the names of the Muslims” Akello warned.

Some of the Muslim who spoke to Radio Pacis expressed happiness over the day, which they say is a great day of friendship and unity building since they use thee day to share a lot among themselves as they appeal to their fellow Muslims to know and understand the rightful ways of celebrating the day according to the Islamic customs.

Jafar Muhamad Swaleh was in attendance at Arua primary school grounds. Jaffar says to him it is always a good way of closing the financial year. Eid-ul-Adha, also called the "Festival of Sacrifice," commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God and it honors the concept of sacrifice and demonstrates devotion to Allah.
 
Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice is the second and the larger of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam. Observances on this day include Eid prayers, animal slaughter, charity, social gatherings, and festive meals, gift-giving.

COVER PHOTO: District Khadi speaking after Eid prayers as the Arua RCC looks on By Godwin Abedican