The 56th annual Quran recitation for peace in Ghana and the world has ended at Prang in the Bono East Region.
The President and Supreme leader of the Tijaniyya Muslim Council of Ghana, Sheikh Khalifa Ahmad Abul Faidi Abdulai Maikano Jallor, led the ceremony.
It was graced by the Vice President, Dr Mahammudu Bawumia, Member of Parliament for Madina and Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President, Abu-Bakar Saddique Boniface, the Member of Parliament for Pru West Mohammed Masoud and other dignitaries.
This year’s event coincided with the celebration of Ghana’s 62nd independence anniversary.
Other Participants from across Ghana and beyond attended the programme during which the Quran was recited and completed 1,741 times with Suratul Ikhlass recorded 6,911,785.
Sheikh Ibrahim Mei Haskey who spoke on behalf of the household of Sheikh Abdulai Maikano Jallorta, commended the government for the exemplary work they have done so far for the people of Prang and the country at large, including making Prang a district capital and the pipe borne water project for the area.
He also acknowledged the contribution of the government in ensuring the completion of the grand mosque and Zawiya of Sheikh Maikano.
“As Muslims and adherents of the Tijaniyya Sufi order, the mosque or Zawiya is a key element that connects us and unifies our efforts in fulfilling both our spiritual and physical lives.”
In addition, he also extended their gratitude to the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the chiefs for successfully bringing to an end the protracted chieftaincy dispute in Dagbon. He stated that Dagbon holds a special place in the hearts of the Dagbon people and for years it has been their prayers to Allah for lasting peace and justice to be established in the land.
“The Prophet said, he who is ungrateful to people will not be grateful to Allah. It is on this basis that they feel obliged to show gratitude to all who exhibited exemplary valor and dedication in ensuring the impasse laid to rest.”
He called on all political parties to eschew and disband political vigilante groups adding the Quran in Sura 8:25 states, “And fear tumult or oppression, which affecteth not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong: and know that Allah is strict in punishment.”
Mr Boniface who spoke on behalf of the Vice President, urged the Muslim community to pray for the government to deliver on their promises in uplifting the image of the country and bringing a lasting development to all and sundry.
He said the Vice President had taken it upon himself to fund the establishment of solar energy for the grand mosque in order to ease the burden of electricity tariff on the household, and also enumerated the many projects the government intends to embark on to ease the economic hardship Ghanaians are facing.
Sheikh Abdulai Maikano Jallo of blessed memory, the first Imam to the Ghana Armed Forces first established the recitation of the Quran in 1963 with three intentions, that is, lasting peace in Ghana, the pleasure of Allah and the sanctity of Islam in Ghana, recalling Sura 17:82 which states, “We reveal the Quran which is a cure and mercy for the believers but does nothing for the unjust except to lead them to perdition.”
By Times Reporter
