Imam Cherno Kah, the Imam Ratib of Banjul, has once again called on all Gambians, particularly the youth; to nurture the culture of peace and good neighbourliness, stressing that it is important for neighbours to live in peace and harmony.

Delivering his Tobaski sermon last Thursday in Banjul, Imam Kah dwelt on the significance of Eid-al-Adha, locally called Tobaski. He related that the fundamentally sacrificial feast began after Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) set out to execute his intention to offer his son as sacrifice in fulfillment of a storied dream purported to be an instruction from the Almighty Allah. However, he added, as fate would have it, he did not carry through the act as Allah (SWT) had in the nick of time caused Arch Angel Gabriel to ransom the compliant son’s (Prophet Ismail’s) head with a ram.

He added that during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), he used to sacrifice two rams, one for his family and the other for the needy.

Imam Kah added that it is recommended that every Muslim who could afford it to sacrifice a ram during the feast, noting that Muslims are urged to share with the needy as a goodwill gesture. “The meat of the ram so slaughtered should be given to the needy but not sold under any circumstance,” he elucidated.

The Imam used the occasion to congratulate all Muslims for the celebration. “We should love, respect and help each other so as to live in peace and harmony,” he said, adding that it is very important for neighbours to live in peace and harmony.

Imam Kah did not leave out the youth, whom he urged to be law-abiding, respectful to the elderly and helpful to parents. He also exhorted them to be hardworking. He finally prayed for peace and prosperity for the people and government of The Gambia and the Muslim Umah.

Meanwhile it has been gathered that some parts of the country observed the feast on Friday in defiance of the advice of Supreme Islamic Council.