-Presents 50 Bags of Rice, Cow to Muslims in Observance of “Abraham Day”
IPNEWS – Monrovia: Opposition politician, Dr. Daniel E. Cassell, Political Leader of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), has presented 50 bags of 25kg rice and a cow to the National Muslims Council of Liberia (NMCL) for the celebration of Abraham’s Day by Muslims in Montserrado County.
Before the presentation was made, Dr. Cassell beseeched Liberian Muslims to pray for a patriotic, national leader, as they gather to pray and observe “Abraham Day”, today, July 20, 2021.
Hundreds of thousands of Liberian Muslims are expected to join their colleagues worldwide to observe the Eid ul Al Adha, which in Arabic stands for “Festival of the Sacrifice.” This festival honors the willingness of the Patriarch Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God’s command.
The tradition for Eid al-Adha involves slaughtering an animal and sharing the meat in three equal parts – for family, for relatives and friends, and for poor people. However, the purpose of sacrifice in Eid al-Adha is not about shedding of blood just to satisfy Allah. It is about sacrificing something devotees love the most to advance the message of Eid al-Adha.
In a press statement issued in Monrovia on Monday, July 19, Dr, Cassell reminded Liberians, especially Muslims, that for too long Liberia has been lacked good leaders at the national level who will prioritize and seek the best interest and wellbeing of their people.
According to Dr. Cassell, lack of patriotism among national leaders is one of the reasons responsible for prioritizing their personal aggrandizements over the wellbeing of the country and its citizens.
He implored Muslims to use their reflection time of praying to call upon Allah (God) to intervene and address the situation confronting Liberia, the post-conflict nation which remains faced with numerous challenges.
“As you observe this year’s Eid ul Adha (Abraham’s Day), I ask that you kindly continue to render prayers to Allah for His interventions, guidance, and protection upon the lives of all Liberians, visitors, and foreign dignitaries during this historic Covid-19 pandemic,” the statement said.
He also urged Muslims to ask Allah’s intervention in providing the right leaders for Liberia, who according to him, will seek the best interest of citizens and country.
Dr. Cassell said his political party, the PLP, believes that the socio-economic liberation and development of Liberia primarily lies in citizens’ ability to tolerate each other and work in concert to strengthen the bonds and foster peace and development.
“In this spirit, we, therefore, highly value the significance of this day and its correlative worship activities to the stability and development of our dearest nation Liberia. It is our hope and prayer that all your efforts and prayers be accepted so we can all live in peace and harmony.”
His PLP then presented 50 bags of 25kg rice and a cow to the National Muslims Council of Liberia (NMCL) for the celebration of the Day.
“In support of national unity, solidarity and fostering of religious rights and freedom, this is the PLP’s way of identifying with the Muslim community.”
The PLP Chairman, Mr. Wilmot Paye, who presented the “little token” to the Muslims, said the donation is intended to show love and appreciation of the works and prayers Muslims continue to render to Allah for the nation.
According to him, the party was established to unify Liberians regardless of status, religion, political and social affiliation.
“This is part of our party’s policy to always identify with the Islamic and other religious communities. We are one people and one country; our Political Leader recognizes that. This is not just for the purpose of giving, but it is a moral and institutional obligation.”
The Chairman of the National Muslim Council of Liberia (NMCL), Mr. Sheikh Mansary, commended Dr. Cassell and the PLP for the gesture as he underscored the need for peace, unity and reconciliation among Liberians.
“Religious tolerance is very important in every society. This is what you have shown. You have shown that we are all one family; we are all Liberians. The betterment of this nation depends on the shoulders of every one of us.”
As he further thanked Dr. Cassell and PLP Family, Mr. Mansary urged Liberians not to allow politicians to tear them apart to satisfy their personal motives.
