The United Democrats (UDP) leader has sent a message of hope for the nation to keep faith strong and hopes alive despite challenges of Covid 19, poverty and maternal mortality.

“The celebration of the Eid Al-Adha last year and this year is made under the cloud of the Covid-19 pandemic compounded by another natural disaster that ravaged our homes and public spaces coupled with the surge in the rate of the infection and maternal mortality across the country,” statement by Mr Ousainou Darboe said.

“On the whole a very trying time for our people.  Still yet, we keep our faith strong and our hopes alive,” his message added.

The theme of the Eid message was on peace, unity and reconciliation for the country.

“Eid is symbolic of the believer’s journey toward Allah to admit wrong, take responsibility, and seek forgiveness.  Then return into the world anew, unburdened by the heaviness of past transgressions and the state of forgetfulness,” the leader preached.

“The Sacrifices made during the Eid reflects Abraham and Ishmael’s readiness to totally submit to the will of Allah.  Eid for the Muslim Ummah represents the abode of Divine love, mercy, and belief of Allah’s intervention to guide and protect those who embody steadfastness, struggle, sacrifice, and service to others in their journey in the world.

“As we commemorate this Noble Day of Eid Al-Adha, we must work to ensure we close the festering wound of abject poverty that exists amongst our people. In this sense, peace unity and reconciliation are a very practical responsibility.  We must all play our part if we are to bequeath to our children a society that has truly reconciled.

Mr Darboe appealed for all to take a concerted effort to move forward together, focusing on what unites us as Gambians instead of what divides us as one nation.

“Let us reach out to each other on this Holy day, and throughout the year to build a united democratic nation,” he said.