Members of the Muslim community in Togo, like their co-religionists around the world, celebrated on Saturday July 9, 2022, the Aïd El Kébir or Tabaski (sheep festival). In Lomé the prayers of circumstance were said in the mosques and on certain peripheral grounds. At the Grand Mosque of Lomé, the prayer was led by its main imam, El Hadj Abdoul-Baki Mamadou, in the presence of the interim president of the Muslim Union of Togo, El Hadj Inoussa Bouraïma, as well as several Muslim dignitaries. The prayers took place in strict compliance with health provisions. Head of State Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé joined in the celebration of this holiday, sending his wishes of happiness to Muslims in Togo and around the world, so that the aspirations of living together can be strengthened everywhere.
All the faithful Muslims of Togo in particular and of the whole world in general celebrated, last Saturday, in communion and devotion, the biggest feast of the Muslim calendar, Aïd El-Kebir, commonly called Tabaski or feast of the sheep. . In Lomé, in the early hours of the morning, there were many Muslims storming the mosques and some public places to pray and thank Allah for his blessings in their lives. At the central mosque in Lomé, the prayer was led by the local imam, El Hadj Abdoul-Baki Mamadou. In his sermon, the imam noted the greatness of Allah, his faithfulness and his love for humanity. He emphasized that the sacrifice of sheep or other beasts is a sign of gratitude and submission to Allah. Because according to him, sacrificing an animal as an offering is a gesture that reaffirms the links between the Lord and his servants. This is why every Muslim who has the moral and material capacity, sacrifices an animal to worship Allah on this day of Tabaski. According to Imam Mamadou, this act is important because it is an occasion of devotion that honors Allah.
In his prayer for the occasion, Imam Abdoul-Baki Mamadou prayed for peace to reign throughout the world and particularly in Togo. He interceded for the Head of State, the government, the authorities and for all the Togolese people. The imam implored Allah to grant his peace to Togo, to the countries of the West African sub-region and to the whole world.
The acting president of the Muslim Union of Togo, El Hadj Inoussa Bouraïma, expressed his gratitude to the Head of State, who is always at the side of Muslims at every celebration and during difficult times, especially during the Ramadan period. and pilgrimage. He added that the President of the Republic, thanks to his displayed wisdom, is called upon everywhere in the sub-region and in Africa to help in the resolution of conflicts and that peace reigns. “You know the evils that undermine the world today, terrorism, jihadism and climate change. It is a permanent fight for which everyone must engage.. El Hadj Inoussa Bouraïma finally prayed for reciprocal forgiveness, mutual respect and living together.
Imam Abdoul-Baki Mamadou during his sermon.
La Tabaski, the big meeting of families around sheep
A prayer session at the Great Mosque of Lomé
Beyond its religious aspect, Aid El-Kebir is also an opportunity for meetings, reunions and conviviality with family, other relatives and neighbors. In the Muslim community, this holiday is also synonymous with sharing meat and meals with the needy. After the great prayer, each family returns to their home to sacrifice the sheep or other animals and cut them up according to Muslim tradition. The party meat is meant to be eaten, shared with neighbors and given to those in need, not kept in the fridge. According to El Hadj Alassani, a faithful Muslim met at the central mosque in Lomé, Tabaski is a celebration of sharing. “This festival being an occasion for sharing, we distribute the meat to our neighbours, whether they are Muslims or not. Tabaski is a party where joy must be at the rendezvous. There should be no restrictions. People have to eat to their fullness. And we don’t skimp on the quantity of meat to be cooked, the main thing is that everyone eats to their heart’s content”, he noted. In the evening, the youngest invade public places such as the beach or other places of rejoicing to share meals in a friendly atmosphere.
The origins of Tabaski
Celebrated two months and ten days following Ramadan, Tabaski, literally “sheep festival”, is celebrated every year by all Muslim faithful. Called Aïd El-Kebir among the Arabs, this religious festival recalls Ibrahim’s submission to God, when he asked him to sacrifice his son, Ishmael. Ibrahim accepts this divine imperative but, at the last moment, the Archangel Gabriel appears and sends him a sheep which he sacrifices in place of his son. To perpetuate this act, each Muslim must kill a sheep on the feast day, following the prayer and once the imam has sacrificed his. Once the throat has been cut with a sharp knife, the sheep (it can be a goat, or even a cow or another animal) must be divided into three parts: the first for the day’s consumption, the second for distribution and the last for the next day or the days that follow. No part should be wasted and everything should be consumed or offered. The party can last up to three days, finally, if we can not extend it beyond.
Alex TEYI