In any lifetime, mankind is often confronted with the choice of making significant sacrifices. Whether a person or a family, a community or a Government, some sacrifices leave no options. Something held dearly in some esteem has to be given up for a general better good. That is the essence of the Eid-ul-Azha festival which Muslims commemorate to celebrate the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to hand up his son’s life in obedience to God’s command.
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) relates to this story of obedience to God and joins Muslims in their observance of Eid-ul-Azha, 2019.
By this act in response to God’s request, the Prophet Abrahim and his son Ismail were put to the ultimate test of faith, submission and sacrifice. Ibrahim passed that test and thus showed the strength of his belief and willingness to submit to God.
In Guyana at this time, Guyanese are made to make choices that entails sacrifices in order to live from one day to another. An economy under siege forces collective sacrifice of one kind or the other literally daily. Our Muslim members in the sugar sector as well as from other beliefs know all too well about sacrifice and choices. Unlike the reprieve that God granted to Prophet Ibrahim, Guyana’s working-class cannot easily identify any savior in these times when it is really needed.
GAWU trusts that the inspiration embedded in the festival of Eid-ul-Azha can result in early rewards for all.
A blessed Eid-ul-Azha to all from GAWU.
