Chief Imam leads commemoration of birth of Prophet Mohammed …Former President Mahama, ministers in attendance
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, has urged factions in the Bawku conflict to use dialogue to resolve their differences instead of resorting to arms.
According to him the people have suffered enough and the time has come to smoke the peace pipe and end the conflict that has brought untold hardship to their own people.
The Chief Imam made these remarks in a speech read on his behalf to commemorate the celebration of the birth of Prophet Mohammed on Saturday evening at Fadama in Accra.
It was under the theme; Interfaith Harmony; An instrument of
peace and global peace and stability.
The over 10-hour event which started at 8pm till Sunday dawn had other activities including Quran recitals, Islamic songs of praise, salutatory messages and speeches of exaltations of the Prophet Mohammed.
It attracted several Muslim scholars, politicians, Muslim chiefs and their representatives from other parts of the country while free food and hot cups of tea were served to keep the hundreds of participants awake.
He indicated that the huge amount of resources spent on peacekeeping could be channelled to other productive ventures towards improving the socio-economic life of the people.
“Prophet Mohammed is a man of peace and a great leader who dispenses justice irrespective of one’s religion that is why I am praying for peace in other parts of the world, just give peace a chance and let life return to normalcy,” he added.
The Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, in a speech read on his behalf described the Chief Imam as a beacon of interfaith harmony who has exemplified religious tolerance.
He indicated that the 1992 constitution prohibits religious intolerance hence the need to maintain the peace the country was currently enjoying, adding “no true religion advocates intolerance”
The Vice President urged the need to follow the teachings of Islam and avoid been radicalised.
The former President John Dramani Mahama said the peace the country was enjoying was from Allah and charged the citizenry to tolerate each other so as to live in peace.
On next year’s election he entreated politicians and the electorates to abide by the tenets of the democracy which the country has chosen and not take it for granted.
The former President asked for prayers for peace during next year’s election and also for a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.
The National Executive Secretary, Office of the Chief Imam, Alhaji Awaisu Bio Salisu, in his welcome address said almighty Allah is the cherisher and sustainer of the world and the Lord of the universe.
This Saturday evening’s gathering, he explained was a celebration of joy and as part of that joy all are seeking the blessings of Allah and are already thankful to him for creating and placing us among the Umma of the best of all creation.
Alhaji Salisu said the tools of co-existence mitigate group difference, resolve conflicting situations, bar violent, establish justice, promote respectful intergroup relationship, create a peaceful environment for individuals and develop community based on fairness, justice and equity.
LAWRENCE VOMAFA-AKPALU
