Former President John Dramani Mahama yesterday joined the Vice President Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, religious leaders, ministers of state, chiefs and members of the Diplomatic Corps to celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Chief Imam.
The colourful event brought together family and friends of the National Chief Imam, Islamic scholars, opinion leaders and people from all walks of life.
Former President Mahama, the Vice President and the National Chief Imam were dressed in all white to demonstrate their happiness for the life of Sheikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu.
Most Reverend Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cape Coast, Prophet Badu Kubi of Glorious Church International, Prophet Nazareth Nakoah Ansah Jameson and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) David Apeatu-Asante were among the dignitaries.
Others were Rev. Father Andrew Campbell of Christ the King Parish Church, Hassan Tampuli, Chief Executive of National Petroleum Authority, Mr Patrick Yaw Boamah, Deputy Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress and Mr Rockson Bukari, a Minister of State at the Presidency.
President Mahama joined Vice President Bawumia and others to cut the birthday cake.
In his remarks, the Most Rev. Palmer-Buckle, chairman of the ceremony noted that he is a Christian by the sheer grace of God and that he preferred religious acceptance to religious tolerance.
Dr Sharubutu was born in Accra Old Fadama on April 23, 1924 to prominent and reputable parents.
He studied under his father, the late Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu, a pious mother, late Ayishatu Abass and his uncle, the late Sheikh Mazanwaje Abbas, who was the National Chief Imam at the time.
His parents sent him to Kumasi where he studied under various Islamic scholars.
In 1993, he was appointed the National Imam of Ghana to succeed his cousin, Sheikh Muktak Abass.
Throughout his life, Sheikh Osman has promoted education, setting out various Islamic schools and encouraging Muslims to seek secular education.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA
