Don’t allow Bokoharam, Al Qaeda, ISIS to define Islam – Akufo-Addo to Muslims

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on the newly inaugurated Tijanniya Muslim Council and Muslims, in general, to actively condemn groups such as Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Tijanniya Muslim Council of Ghana, on Sunday, 15th December, 2019, at Trade Fair Centre, President Akufo-Addo said too often Muslims only say such groups are not true Muslims without taking steps to condemn their actions.

“While we may meet in places like this, and say that what they profess is not true Islam, the reality is that we have allowed the extremists to hijack the religion of peace; we have allowed them to pervert its values; we have allowed them to define it,” he said.

“Let our youth shun violence. Let our youth seek the path of knowledge, for it is the path of illumination. Let us concern ourselves with building a better future for ourselves here on earth, and the goodies of the hereafter will follow.” he admonished.

President Akufo-Addo urged the Tijanniya adherents to learn more under their leader Sheikh Khalifa Abul Faidi Ahmed Maikano.

On election 2020, the president said “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 called for deepening of tolerance between Muslims and Christians in Ghana.

“A considerable part of the peace and stability Ghana enjoys is due to the long-standing relationship of peaceful co-existence, founded on religious tolerance, between Christians and Muslims in our country. We must do everything to ensure that this situation continues. It is one of the most positive, and most acclaimed, hallmarks of our nation. And, I want to commend members of the Tijanniya faith for their great contribution to this development,” he said.