Regional Ramadan Conference ends

Techiman (B/A) Sept. 23, GNA - Mr. Musah Yussif Asante, Chairman of Techiman Timber Market, has called on Muslims to work conscientiously for their well-being. He questioned as to why Muslims regard the unveiling of the heads of their wives as a sin and yet do not protest when male Christian doctors attend to their sick wives or daughters at the hospital.

Mr. Asante was speaking at the close of a two-day Regional Ramadam Conference at Techiman, under the theme "Peaceful co- existence before, during and after 2004 elections, Islamic perspective".

The Regional Conference was attended by 45 delegates from the Daru Salam, Islamic Mission Secretariat and Tijaniyya sects in 14 districts in Brong Ahafo.

Mr. Asante added that it was even embarrassing to see Muslim males languishing in jails without receiving any material or spiritual support from the Islamic community, whilst Christian organizations always visited inmates with donations, which helped them to win more souls for their faith.

Mr. Asante, who presided, proposed the construction of an Islamic Hospital in Techiman and called on Muslim societies to visit their brothers in prison so as to give them both material and spiritual support.

Oseadeayo Ameyaw Akumfi, Omanhene of Techiman Traditional Area advised the Muslim youth in Zongo not to allow themselves to be exploited by politicians who would use "macho men" during their electioneering campaigns.

The Omanhene called on supporters of the various political parties to be tolerant of each other's views. He noted that the call for the construction of an Islamic Hospital was in the right direction, bur pointed out that the project on completion would need competent and efficient staff to manage it.

Oseadeayo Ameyaw Akumfi exhorted Muslims to invest in the education of their children to be able to occupy responsible positions at the hospital.

The Chief Imam of Techiman, Abdullah Alhassan, cautioned Muslims, especially the Imams to strive hard to acquire the requisite Knowledge to be able to perform effectively. "Any Imam who does not know the significance of his status should toil hard for it in order to know what to preach to his congregation", he said.

Mr. Suleman Bermah, a tutor at Techiman Secondary School and the Parliamentary candidate for the Peoples National Convention for Techiman South Constituency, observed that the performance of Muslim students at Techiman Secondary School "is nothing to write home about".

"Out of the total student population of 1,470 at the school, Muslims are less than 150, most of whose performance is below average", he noted.

Mr. Bermah called on Muslim parents to encourage their children to be serious with their studies.

Hajia Memuna Mohammed, head of Techiman branch of the Federation of Muslim Women Association in Ghana, appealed to Muslim men to allow their wives to participate in activities that would enhance the cause of the Islamic religion.

She said the Federation was an NGO and an umbrella organization with the main objective to foster unity among Muslims, establish educational facilities and to work with Muslim men to propagate Islam.

Sheik Umur Abdul Kadil, Brong Ahafo Regional Chief Imam, in a welcoming address asked Muslims to use their talents to serve God and be faithful to their subordinates.