By Anzoo Evaline.

The Muslim community in Adjumani District and the entire residents have been urged to embrace forgiveness, love, and unity as they celebrate Eid Day, while also remaining vigilant against the threat of Ebola and the rising cases of HIV/AIDS in the district.

Speaking during the Eid celebrations, the Adjumani District Khadi, Baiga Rhamandan, emphasized that forgiveness is a compulsory teaching in Islam and should be extended to all people regardless of religion.

“As we celebrate Idi, it is compulsory in Islam to forgive. Not that you can forgive only Muslim, but you should forgive even a non-Muslim. Because our beloved Prophet Muhammad Salalah said that forgive, have mercy on each and everybody who is on earth so that the one which is in the heaven will have mercy on you,” Baiga Rhamandan said.

Sheik Musa Khemis, also called upon the Muslim faithful and the community to use Eid celebrations as a moment to rebuild relationships and strengthen humanity, peace, and love among people.

“The day of Eid is for sacrifice. If we see how people stay these days at home, in society, in the community, people don’t forgive themselves”.

But we emphasize about forgiveness so that it should build the bridge, the bond, and should create the humanity, peace and love in most special day like this. Remember people are going to move in different homes of different people. So, once you have forgiven yourselves, Allah also accept you all the deeds that you have been doing today.

But if you refuse to ask forgiveness, you refuse to give your brother, your sister, your friend, your neighbours, definitely what you are doing, you are just wasting your time,” Khemis noted.

Meanwhile, the Resident District Commissioner of Adjumani, Toko Swaib, warned residents against ignoring public health guidelines at a time when the country is facing the threat of Ebola and increasing HIV/AIDS infections, especially among young people.

“The country is faced with the threat of Ebola. I therefore want to call upon all our people to observe the SOPs,” Toko Swaib said.

He further expressed concern over risky behaviour during celebrations, saying government efforts to reduce HIV/AIDS infections are being undermined by irresponsible actions among the youth.

“I want to particularly question the youth. Government has a program of making HIV not to be a major public health threat by 2030. But we are witnessing increasing cases of new cases, especially among the young persons. Usually, we take such big days we say we are celebrating the big days and we celebrate them in a wrong way”.

As I speak now, some people might have read a plan, somebody daughter, you have planned somebody’s wife, and in the course, you also have higher risk of a contracting HIV AIDS. The cases are increasing. Why? The government wants us to abstain, and you must test your blood at will. Just go and test,” he added.

The leaders called upon residents to celebrate responsibly, uphold forgiveness and peaceful coexistence, and prioritize their health and safety during the Eid festivities.

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