Rowley praises Muslim community

In his Eid message, Rowley observed that the participation of the Muslim community over the years in business, politics, professional life and in government “has served to enrich the fabric of our society.”

He described the Qur’an as “the embodiment of truth with clear signs and arguments for guidance and which proves the criterion of judgement between right and wrong.”

Rowley said, “Having spent the last month in fasting, prayer and self-restraint our Muslim brothers and sisters are better prepared to face the challenges of life and to be good parents, good neighbours and good citizens which this country sorely needs.”

In a separate release, the PNM said all citizens need to see Eid as “a time of rebirth.” The party observed, “The discipline, the love, the constant remembrance of God, the giving of alms, the payment of Zakaat, the sacrifices and many other acts of piety and God-consciousness, are virtues that the wider society needs to replicate.”

“We too have been undergoing our own introspection and reflection and it is a time when Muslims recharge their batteries and evaluate themselves in the new year. As we seek to define our path we can use our inner strength to find meaning and purpose in our world,” the PNM said. The party added, “Today we are faced with many challenges and closest to us in our democracy which is now at risk and now more than ever, we need to look ahead and pursue reawakening as a nation. This indeed is a time for rebirth.”

Muslims celebrated Eid yesterday but the national holiday is observed today.