Madrasatil Ebaadur Rahman of Effiekuma, Takoradi has marked the 2024 Maulid-in-Nabi celebration with grand ceremony, drawing over 1,000 participants to mark the annual birthday of Prophet Mohammed.
It comes after a five-year hiatus, fulfilling a long-awaited desire to bring back the celebration of a festival, which had been a cornerstone of the institution’s annual calendar.
The two-day celebration, held at the school’s forecourt, brought together students, parents, teaching staff, politicians, community leaders, and patrons in a display of religious devotion and cultural celebration.
The night-long celebrations featured students taking turns to recite the Quran, Hadiths and historical accounts of Prophet Mohammed’s life, which also served as valuable public speaking practice for the young learners.
During the ceremony, outstanding students were honored with citations recognizing their academic achievements. The school also acknowledged the dedication and contributions of staff members and patrons through special citations.
This year’s event carried special significance as it coincided with two important anniversaries: marking 20 years since the passing of former headmaster Ustaz Iddris Mohammed, and 25 years since the death of his deputy, Ustaz Ahmed Abubakar Sare.
The celebration also honoured the memory of other distinguished leaders who shaped the school’s history: Malam Bashiru, Malam Abdul Aziz, Ustaz Jaafar, and Malam Adam.
“This celebration of our beloved Prophet Mohammed’s birthday exemplifies the enduring spirit of unity in our institution,” remarked Headmaster Musah Ibrahim. “Seeing our old students return in such numbers, joining hands with current students and staff in commemorating this blessed occasion, truly reinforces our sense of community. Their presence here today, united in celebration of the Prophet’s life and teachings, shows that Ebaadur Rahman is not just a school, but a family that spans generations.”
The Headmaster also paid tribute to the school’s former leaders: “As we celebrate the Prophet’s birthday, we also honor the cherished memory of our former leaders – Ustaz Iddris Mohammed, Ustaz Ahmed Abubakar Sare, Malam Bashiru, Malam Abdul Aziz, Ustaz Jaafar, and Malam Adam – whose sacrifices laid the foundation for what Ebaadur Rahman is today,” Headmaster Ibrahim reflected. “These were true heroes who dedicated their lives to Islamic education and the development of our youth. Their legacy lives on in every corner of this institution, and seeing today’s grand celebration with our old students returning in such numbers would have brought joy to their hearts. They sacrificed their comfort, their time, and their resources to build this school, and today’s unity and success are testaments to their vision.”
The celebration also marked a significant milestone for the institution with the announcement of Madam Ayisha Anas as the new Magaajia of Ebaadur Rahman. The announcement was met with enthusiastic approval, particularly from female alumni who erupted in unanimous cheers and ululation.
Her appointment recognizes her long-standing dedication to the school and represents a progressive step in the institution’s leadership structure.
The celebration was particularly meaningful as it represented a return to full-scale festivities after a five-year gap, following the cancellation of the 2020 edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students enlivened the occasion with choreographed performances, bringing a festive atmosphere to the Effiekuma community.
While traditionally associated with the Islamic month of Rabiul Awal, each institution independently determines its own special commemoration schedule.
Madrasatul Ebaadur Rahman, established in 1960s, has maintained its mission of providing Islamic education to Muslim students for over four decades.
