2020 polls: 'Muslims can't keep allowing themselves to be used for violence' – Akufo-Addo

President Nana Akufo-Addo has charged Muslim youth in the country not to allow politicians to engage them for acts of violence before, during and after the upcoming national elections in December 2020.

Addressing the Tijaniya Muslim Council of Ghana at a ceremony held at the Trade Fair Main Auditorium to inaugurate the National and Greater Accra Regional Executives of the Council under the theme: "Religious Tolerance, The Panacea For Peaceful Coexistence", President Akufo-Addo admonished Muslim youth not to permit unguarded politicians to use them to carry out acts of instability and violence.

"To you the young people of the Jalo fraternity, I advise you to take the guidance of your Sheikhs seriously". "Muslim youth cannot continue to be the ones who are used for violent purposes. I want to make this appeal to you: in 2020, do not allow yourselves to be used by irresponsible politicians to engage in acts of destabilisation and violence", President Akufo-Addo stated.

Islam and Extremism

The President further noted in his speech that the world over, people seem to be associating Islam with violence, terrorism and acts of aggression and, thus, urged the youth of the Jalo fraternity and all Muslims to change the narrative and showcase the positive and peace-loving size of Islam.

"It is for you to rescue Islam from the extremist whose activities around the world, seem to be defining Islam", President Akufo-Addo noted. "Islam, in the 21st Century, is at the crossroad. It is a sad commentary on the religious of peace that today, it is credited with being responsible for the acts of radicalism, extremism, violence and destabilisation taking place around the world by the likes of Al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram", President Akufo-Addo indicated.

"It has often been said that it is the silence of the righteous that allows evil to triumph. Let peace-loving Muslims speak up. Let our youth shun violence, let our youth seek the path of knowledge", President Akufo-Addo added.

Tijjaniya Muslims of Ghana

The Tijjaniya Muslims of Ghana is the representation of the Tijjaniya Sufi sect in Ghana. The Tijjaniya Sufi sect was founded by Shaykh Ahmad Tijani (RTA), who emphasised the purification of the soul through istigfar (seeking forgiveness), zikr (remembrance of Allah) and salat 'ala-nabiyy (prayer on the Prophet).

Among the other sufis that followed and spread the Tijjaniya practice, Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (RTA) of Kaola (Senegal), is renowned for the spread of Tijjaniya in West Africa and for that matter, Ghana.

Many Muslim scholars in Ghana are direct or indirect disciples of Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (RTA). His Tijjaniya teachings and practices have permeated the whole of West Africa and beyond, enjoining Muslims to seek Allah through education, discipline and peaceful coexistence. The Mission of the Tijjaniya Muslims movement is to establish a united Tijjaniyya Muslims Community of Ghana that promotes the spiritual and social growth of Muslims and their vision is to see a Ghanaian Muslim community that champions the spiritual, social and economic growth of Muslims and non-Muslims in Ghana and beyond.