Religion is defined as a set of beliefs that is passionately held by a group of people that is reflected in a world view and in expected beliefs and actions (which are often ritualized).
There are many different religions, each with a different set of beliefs.
With this definition, we can say, religion is obliged to bring about peace and unity, not war or confusion.
It will be recalled that On Easter Sunday, Ghana's religious tolerance came on display as the national chief Imam, His Eminence Sheik Dr Osmanu Nuhu Shaributu paid a visit to Christ The King Parish in Accra. His gesture was ahead of his 100th birthday celebration. His action has received a lot of commendation from Ghanaians.
However, Evangelist Samuel Manfo also known as Misty Coke has a different view on the national chief Imam’s visit to the church. He says the visit may cause future mayhem in the country if care is not taken.
Explaining the rationale behind the statement, he told host DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa that, even though the move was historic, it’s a wrong move. He said it’s not right for a Muslim to join Christian worship at Church. He noted that its’s against the Islamic law and this may cause future mayhem in Ghana.
“Even though the move was historic, it’s bad history. I mean what’s the essence of history that will bring confusion among people in the future? It’s wrong for a Muslim to join Christian worship in the church, it’s against the Islam law. I know people are saying the visit will peace but it’s a lie, the visit to the church will cause future mayhem in Ghana” The leather-dressed Evangelist furthered that, a Muslim can celebrate a birthday party with Christians but not worship together in a church. He added that a Christian cannot go to a fetish priest to worship together all in the name of peace or serving one God.
“It’s a wrong act trust me. A Muslim can celebrate a birthday party with Christians and they can all celebrate together because that is not worship. But when it comes to worship, everyone has to worship in his or her lane and that is what we call peace. Now that, he has visited the church, there will be lots of confusion at homes and everywhere. People will do their own thing especially Muslims trying to go to church and the moment their parents or guardian say it, they will say, even the chief Imam visited the church. You see and that is not peace but confusion”
Some Islamic scholars have also raised claims and condemned the act, they claim, it’s not right and wise. However, some are also of the view that, the chief Imam did not go there to worship.
Well, whether the chief Imam went there to worship or it was a friendly visit, it was aimed at sending a strong message of peace and reducing the stereotype threat Muslims face in society.
I am not a Christian writer. I am a writer who is a Christian. I am a follower of Christ first before I am a writer. And I also believe that the move inures to the harmonious co-existence among members of the two great faiths in Ghana.
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