Veep ask Muslims to give Islam a new image

Accra, July 6, GNA- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama at the weekend expressed regret that the main areas of persistent social discord and armed conflicts in the country occur at where Muslims are in the majority.

Speaking at the launch of the translated version of the Koran into Dagbani in Accra, he urged Muslims "to allow the spirit of the Koran to guide their dealings in the area of conflict management and peaceful co-existence."

Quoting from the Koran, Vice President Mahama said: "After all, Allah says.that we are all created from a single male and female and made tribes and nations so that we may know one another. "Deep down, we are not different from each other. So the virtuous teachings of the Holy Koran should influence us positively in order to avoid communal violence because such violence is a complete contradiction to the teachings of the Koran." The 1,287-page book was the handiwork of Sheikh Muhammed Baba Gbetobu, Director of the Zaintun Centre for Education and Charitable Services.

Vice President Mahama said prayerful reading of the Koran with faith in its principles ensured a fruitful life of brotherliness, prosperity and peace, stressing; "Indeed, the Holy Koran says the true servants of God are those who restrain themselves when confronted by the uncultured."

He lauded the initiative of Sheikh Gbetobu, explaining that the translated Koran would challenge those who can read in Dagbani to delve further into the Book since the content will now become more understandable and intelligible in their local language. "Moreover, those who are yet to learn to read and write the local dialect but have a desire to get closer to Allah now have a great opportunity to resume learning."

Sheikh Gbetobu said the book was the first translation of the Koran into a local Ghanaian language.

Dr Nasser Adam, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, said Islam urges Muslims to seek knowledge to be able to comprehend the teachings of Prophet Muhammed, the founder of Islam in order to comprehend the challenges of the times. Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, a Lawyer and political activist, who chaired the function, noted that the book was a significant achievement to literacy and theology.