Monday,
12 September, people in The Gambia will celebrate Eid ul Adha, commonly known
as Tobaski.
The
Feast of the Sacrifice is the second of two major religious holidays celebrated
by Muslims worldwide each year.
We
congratulate all Muslims and even non-Muslims in The Gambia for always
observing this great day and feast with peace, love and kindness. We hope and pray that this spirit continues
among us forever.
We
would like to commend the government for waiving taxes and other levies on
livestock sale in the country this year.
As,
according to a recent press release from the Ministry of Trade, Industry,
Regional Integration and Employment, in addition to the Gambia Ports
Authority’s 50% ferry crossing tax reduction for livestock, the Gambia Revenue
Authority (GRA) has waived all income tax and municipal council levies on
livestock dealers.
The
Gambia Immigration Department and the Gambia Police Force are also facilitating
the “free and smooth” movement of visiting livestock dealers, as well as
ensuring “maximum security “at all points of sale of livestock.
The
KMC has also designated areas around the Independence Stadium, GTMI and the
Kanifing Offices of SSHFC as points of sale for livestock.
These
are good steps by government and the ministry of Trade to ensure livestock are
available, accessible and affordable to the general public for the Holy Muslim
Feast of Eid-ul Adha or Tobaski.
In
spite of the fact that these measures have been taken to ensure the most of our
people are able to afford ram and other livestock for sacrifice for the feast,
the majority of our people cannot still afford to buy a ram to fulfil the
sacrifice for the occasion.
In
this circumstance, we are pleading with the well-to-do persons among us to
extend a helping hand to the less fortunate fellow Muslims, by assisting them
with cash to buy a ram or share meat with them after the sacrifice.
But
inasmuch as people are strongly recommended to slaughter a ram on this day, it
is not incumbent on those who cannot afford the sacrifice. There are instances where people do all it
takes to get one. This is against the teachings of the holy book, and as
Muslims we should measure our doings according to what we can afford to avoid
un-Islamic behaviour.
Besides
the ram issue, some family heads always find it very difficult to cope with
certain members of their family, who will want them to provide things that are
even beyond their earnings.
People
will want to spend all the monies they have for the day and, most of the time,
shortly after the feast, some find it hard even to provide even fish money. So,
it is not advisable to spend all the family income at the same time.
In
addition, parents and all those with family responsibility should know that
immediately after the Tobaski, schools are expected to open for a new academic
year; so they need to pay school fees for their children.
Having
said that, during the feast, as Muslims, we should seek forgiveness and forgive
those who have wronged us, or with whom we have differences or
misunderstanding. This is required of
all Muslims and God-fearing people, particularly on days like the Tobaski.
We
would also like to wish all our readers, advertisers and the entire Muslim
Ummah a happy and enjoyable Tobaski. Don’t forget to always be your brother’s
keeper.
May
Allah bless us all!
The
Point
