Muslims in Bamenda gathered at the Old Town Prayer Ground to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in a solemn yet celebratory atmosphere marked by prayers, reflection, and renewed calls for peace and social cohesion.
The prayer session drew a significant turnout of Muslim faithful, alongside the presence of the Governor of the North West Region and members of his entourage.
In his message, the Presiding Imam, Aladji Tukur Muhamed, urged the Muslim community and the wider population to embrace unity and moral responsibility.
“We have come here to tell the people to be united, peaceful, tolerant and forgiving. I expect them to be morally active,” he stated.
Religious leaders used the occasion to stress that the essence of Ramadan goes beyond fasting, pointing instead to deep personal transformation and societal impact.
Sheikh Abu Umar Ali, Alkali of Bamenda, emphasized that the fasting period was centered on mental and behavioral reform, calling on citizens to adopt values capable of transforming the nation.
“The point of focus during Ramadan was mental reformation and behavioural uprightness. We are telling people that until our mental faculty is set and changed to meet challenges outside, our situation will not change,” he said. He further highlighted key virtues promoted during the holy month, including tolerance, mercy, forgiveness, love, and togetherness, noting that these are crucial in addressing the country’s current challenges.
“Our country is wounded, our country is sick, so we implore Allah to bring peace and all other mentioned values into our country,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Shaikh Bashir, President of Islamic Social Guidance for the Reformation of Society, called on Muslims to celebrate responsibly and uphold the teachings of Ramadan even after the fasting period.
“Today is a significant day for us Muslims. The Muslim need to celebrate peacefully without indulging in bad habits such as fighting and drunkenness,” he cautioned.
The Eid prayer in Bamenda comes at a time when calls for peace and reconciliation remain critical in the North West Region. Religious leaders expressed hope that the spiritual lessons of Ramadan will translate into concrete actions that foster unity and stability within communities.
