Chief Imam prays for Otumfuo

The Manhyia Palace, the official seat of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was temporarily turned into a mosque on Friday morning when scores of Muslim clerics in the country, led by Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, stormed the place.

Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu fervently prayed for sound health and long life for the Asantehene so that he would continue playing leading roles to help in the effective advancement of the country.

The Chief Imam and his entourage including Muslim clerics, Zongo chiefs from across the country and some Regional chief imams, also prayed for Ghana’s development and the sustenance of the country’s peace.

Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu was at the Manhyia Palace to officially welcome Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to the country after his private visit to South Africa recently where he was rumoured to have passed on.

The historic visit was also to give the Chief Imam and his large entourage, the opportunity to offer fervent prayers for the Asantehene and his mother, the Asantehemaa, Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem.

Addressing the gathering after the prayer session, the Chief Imam described the Asantehene as a king chosen by Allah to rule his people to affluence, stressing that all evil plans about the king would not gel.

According to him, Allah gave Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to Ghana at this particular moment to contribute significantly towards the developmental aspiration of the country and its citizenry.

Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu stated that Ghana, and in particular, Muslims, were proud of the laudable works of the Asantehene within the last 15 years that he ascended the throne, which had helped to better the lives of the masses.

The Chief Imam assured the Asantehene of the continual prayers for him by Muslims in the country, prophesying that the Asantehene could continue to live in sound health and help develop Ghana.

Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu urged the Asantehene not to pay attention to rumours being peddled about him, especially, recent hoaxes that he had gone to the village, and rather continue to contribute towards Ghana’s growth.

In the Chief Imam’s strong delegation to the palace were the Asawase Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed and other top Muslim personalities across the country.

In his remarks, the Asantehene thanked the Chief Imam for his show of love, stating that he was aware of the fervent prayers that Muslims in the country led by Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu were offering for him.

He explained that for the past seven years he has been going to South Africa to relax and seek medical attention after Christmas, and also travels to London during summer, for holidays.

Otumfuo, amidst laughter, said he was unaware of the wild rumour about his death in South Africa, noting that he even laughed over the issue when it finally got to him.

He told the Chief Imam, who he described as his dear brother, that he was not sick and that he was in good health so he should not be disturbed about the wild rumours of his death.

The Asantehene urged the Muslim fraternity in the country to continually pray for sound health and long life for him, stressing that it was only God, his maker, that could kill him.

He said he was being ably protected physically and spiritually by the Almighty God and the Golden Stool which he occupies so he was not afraid of what some faceless people were planning about him.