Good News for Muslims as Madina MP Champions PreZ Mahama's Vision

When one takes time away from the stresses of work and daily life, it can improve our physical and mental health, motivation, relationships, job performance and perspective. A vacation can help you feel refreshed and more prepared to handle whatever comes when you return. It is for this and many other reasons that the member of parliament for the Madina Constituency, Hon Francis Xavier Sosu is seriously championing the vision of the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama for two new holidays for muslims.

Muslims have two official holidays. Eid-Ul-Fitr and Eid-Ul-Adha. The former is celebtrated at the end of the month of Ramadan, whereas Eid-Ul-Adha lands on the 10th day of the final month of the Islamic calendar.

A few weeks ago, John Dramani Mahama indicated that because of the ideals of Islam and for that matter Prophet Mohammed, he will ensure that the Islamic community gets two new holidays. For this reason, the mp for Madina Constituency, Hon Sosu introduced the private members bill in parliament for the Islamic Community to receive two new holidays.

The two new bills were submitted to the clark of parliament on Wednesday 29th November, 2023 and is currently being processed. Insha Allah, if parliament passes this bill, the Islamic community will have two new holidays.In view of the above, this amendment of the Public Holidays Act 2001, Act 601 forms part of efforts to secure a more productive and inclusive society.

The Public Holidays Amendment Bill 2023( Number 2) seeks to extend the period of public holidays for muslims from the current one (1) day each to two(2) days for each islamic festivity. The amendment also seeks to include Tashreeq( a day after Eid-Ul-Adha) and Shaqq( a day before Eid- Ul-Fitr) as piblic holidays. This we believe will help the muslim community a great deal..This is indeed a good news to all muslims in Ghana.

Interestingly, the late Alieu Mahama who is a muslim and was a vice president in Ghana for 8 years never had this vision. What is more, the current vice president and the flagbearer of the NPP, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia who claims to have the Islamic community at heart has been a vice president also for 8 years but has never thought about muslims, let alone having this vision.

Article 17(1) of the 1992 constitution states that ‘ All persons are equal before the law and (2) states that a person shall not be descriminated against on grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed, social or economic status.

Being the second dominant religion in Ghana, Ghanaian muslims must have equal opportunities when it comes to the celebration of religious festivals. After 40 days of mandatory religious obligation of fasting, muslims desrve an additional day for rest and to prepare for full activities. Kudos to John Dramani Mahama for coming out with this vision. The religious significance of these two new holidays is to give the Islamic Community the opportunity to fully manifest and observe their faith and offer gratitude to Allah for all that He has granted them and for Allah’s abundant Grace. John Dramani Mahama is truly a visionary . Once this bill is passed,muslim holidays that fall between Tuesday and Thursday would be observed on Fridays.
This certainly is a welcoming news for all muslims.
The member of parliament for Madina, Hon. Francis Xavier Sosu and the rest of our MP’s will make sure this bill is passed. LONG LIVE THE ISLAMIC COMMUNITY, LONG LIVE GHANA.