Let fasting bring peace, says minister

Takoradi, Sept. 21, GNA - Mr. Paul E. Aidoo, the Western Regional Minister, on Monday appealed to Muslims to allow the virtues of the month long fasting transform their lives and make them more peaceful among themselves and in the country as a whole. Speaking at the Eid-Ul-Fitr prayers, he said the government was ready to support freedom of religion and Moslems in general must demonstrate tolerance, peace and fellow-feeling. He said the election of a new Chief Imam should not generate into conflicts as happened at Tarkwa-Prestea recently. Mr. Aidoo urged them to resolve all pending conflicts and ensure that the negative image of the Moslem is erased. Mr. Aidoo appealed to parents to pay special attention to the daily activities of their children and correct them if they should know that they are involved in any negative acts.

He reminded the youth that their future depended on productivity and therefore they should seek jobs that would transform their lives instead of acts that could send them to prison.

Shiekh Awal Shuaib, Chief Imam of Takoradi, urged Moslem parents to take both secular and Islamic education seriously to enable their children to compete in the global market. He however reminded them that education could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and Moslems of all persuasions should avoid acts that could lead to conflicts in their communities.