Chief Imam urges religious tolerance in Ghana

The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, has admonished the various religious groupings in the country to be tolerant of each other and endeavor to live in peace and harmony.

Delivering this year’s Hutba (Sermon) at the Black Star Square last Saturday to mark the Eid-Ul-Fitr, the National Chief Imam, while offering special prayers for President John Mahama, his government and the nation, called on all religious bodies to work towards peace and tranquility in the country.

President John Mahama, who has graced all Eid prayers since he was elevated to the highest office of the land, this year could not attend due to his trip to Italy and had to be represented by vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur.

Addressing hundreds of Muslims, the vice President said Ghana stood out as an example of religious tolerance, for which thanks must be given to Allah.

He said the understanding and compassion demonstrated by the various religious faiths in the country are worth commending.

“This togetherness will continue to be enjoyed as we stay more united, compassionate in the years ahead,” he added.

Taking note of the impressive organization of last year’s Hajj, the Vice-President said everything was being done to ensure that this year’s event was even better organized.

Mr Amissah Arthur also noted that the sacrifices of Ghanaians in accommodating the difficult economic policies introduced by the government last year have put the economy on the path of renewal, adding that the national economy was challenged last year, which compelled the government to institute some difficult measures to reverse the situation.

Muslims all over the country on Saturday prayed to mark the end of a month-long Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which strict fasting is observed in daylight hours. This year’s Ramadan began on June 18, 2015, and ended on the evening of July 17, 2015.

Eid-Ul-Fitr, also called Feast of Breaking the Fast, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

On his part Head and Missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana, Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih, urged all Muslims in the county to join in the effort to salvage the image of Islam.

He said the image of Islam had been bruised and sullied by some ill-informed and misguided Muslims in recent times. However, in salvaging the image, he said, there was the need for every Muslim to be careful of their actions and their utterances since that would go a long way in shaping the image of the religion.

“We must all resolve to ensure that this sullied image is salvaged, and that we, as Muslims, stay together in unity without giving vent to our sectarian diversity,” he told hundreds of Ahmadiyya faithful at the Bustan-e-Ahmad at Ashongman in Accra last Saturday to pray for the country to mark the celebration of the Eid-ul-Fitr.

In a related development, Chief Imam of Takoradi, Alhaji Mohammed Awal, has warned all Muslims to stay away from homosexuality, describing the practice as “dirty” and “abominable.”

He urged Muslims that such “devilish” acts would attract the wrath of Allah.

Alhaji Awal also charged Muslims not to engage in corruption but should rather exhibit honesty and fairness.