By Evelyn T. Kpadeh
MONROVIA, Liberia
Thousands of Muslims in Liberia observed Eid al-Fitr on Friday amid calls for Muslims to be cautious of the latest Ebola outbreak and help the prevention and spread of the viral disease.
“We thank Allah that the start and end of this year’s fast was peaceful, unlike last year,” Grand Mufti Sheik Abubakar Sumaworo told Anadolu Agency.
“But with the new cases of Ebola… we all have agreed to join the fight against Ebola,” he said.
During the Eid al-Fitr celebrations in the West African country, Muslims were seen shaking hands and sharing meals.
This is in sharp contrast to last year, when Muslims were restricted from doing such things due to the Ebola crisis.
Sheikh Abubakar Sumaworo says the Liberian Muslim community should not to wait for the government and international community to fight the latest Ebola outbreak, but rather all imams and Muslim leaders should raise awareness of the disease through the mosques.
“Today we called on all Muslims to observe the Ebola preventive measures by burying their dead safely and reporting sick people,” he said.
A mass meeting of imams and Muslim leaders in Liberia is scheduled to take place early next week, where they will form strategies on how to help fight the latest outbreak.
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan in 2014 was filled with pain and anguish, following the deaths of fellow Muslims and relatives due to the Ebola virus.
“Last year’s (Ramadan) was painful for me, but I thank Allah that I am alive,” 42-year-old Amanita Kromah, who lost 16 family members to Ebola, told Anadolu Agency.
