Bolgatanga (Upper West) 7th July '99
Any religion that teaches anything contrary to love, unity and peace is not worthy of its name, Maulvi Wahab Adam, the Ameer and Missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana, has said.
Many prosperous nations have perished through religious intolerance and fanaticism, he said and urged religious bodies to use dialogue rather than violent confrontation to resolve differences.
Maulvi Adam was opening the second annual conference of the Upper East Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Bolgatanga on the theme, "Religious tolerance and unity: a means of fostering peace and development".
"What Ghanaians should realise is that we are all in one boat, and if anyone of us makes a hole in the boat we shall all sink," the Ameer cautioned.
Maulvi Adam said in the present era of enlightenment, when truth has become distinct from falsehood, there should be no compulsion in religion.
The adherents of a true religion will not need to resort to violence as a means of propagation.
While Ghana could not be said to be entirely free from religious intolerance, a considerable measure of co-operation exists particularly among the leadership of religious bodies which has often made it possible for these bodies to speak with a common voice on national matters.
He urged leaders of religious bodies to ensure that this spirit of understanding and co-operation is spread among their followers in the interest of peace and national development.
Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Upper East Regional Minister, who dwelt on the theme of the conference, said it was disheartening to realise that the youth on whom the nation's future depends are increasingly getting involved in criminal activities.
This brings into question the moral upbringing of children in contemporary Ghanaian society, he said and therefore called on parents and religious bodies to initiate discussions aimed at halting this trend.
Alhaji Sulemana praised the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission for its achievements in the promotion of education throughout the country and urged the mission to help stem the rising levels of illiteracy in the region.
