Ahmadis commended for complementing govt's efforts

Tamale, Sept 12, GNA - Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, the Northern Regional Minister, has commended the Ahmaddiyya Muslims Mission in Ghana for complementing government's efforts at providing development projects in the areas of health, education and agriculture.

"Your commitment and contribution to the socio-economic development and your peace loving nature had made the Ahmadiyya community popular in the country."

"Your contribution to the attainment of peace in the country demonstrates the peaceful nature of Islam and this is what is expected of a true Muslim", the minister said. Alhaji Boniface was speaking at the close of the 27th National Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Organisation in Tamale at the weekend.

Ahmadis from Nigeria and Burkina Faso attended the convention that was on the theme: "Love for one's country is part of faith." The Regional Minister said it was wrong for some people to always try to associate their cultures with Islam, explaining that: "while culture dictates to people what they should be, Islam is a religion that stands for peace". He appealed to Ahmadis to work harder to liberate Islam from the bad name and perception some people had made for the religion. Touching on the theme, Alhaji Boniface said the youth were the bedrock upon which the future of every society depended on. "A nation has no future to boast of if the youth lacks the requisite commitment and love for that nation". Alhaji Boniface said the future of a country was doomed if it happened that its youth were corrupted with indiscipline and selfishness and called on religious organizations to instil discipline and patriotism in their followers.

He said love for one's country should encompass all aspects of human actions and urged the youth to put the nation ahead of personal interest and be prepared to sacrifice for its welfare. Alhaji Boniface advised them to respect the laws of the land as well as laws of moral conduct and principles of Islam.