Muslims Conference

Dadieso W/R, July 8, GNA - A Muslim scholar, Mr Ahmed Opoku Nsiah, has observed that the youth of Islam today are in a state of constant confusion, which needs to be looked at critically and addressed appropriately before things get out of control.

"The youth of Islam today face lots of challenges as they are under siege from all angles beginning from the dictates of society, the media, politics and other values", he said.

Mr Nsiah made these observation when he spoke at the 7th National Women's Conference of the Ghana Muslim Mission held at Dadieso under the theme, "The woman's role in ensuring a happy and a stable family in the Muslim community".

Against this background, he said, the Muslim women had a crucial role to play in the up-bringing of their children, so that they grow to become good and responsible citizens.

Mr Nsiah said the irresponsible attitude of some Muslim parents due to the lack of sufficient knowledge in parenting had affected the self esteem of most Muslim youth.

He said the introduction of polygamy, the ineffective leadership roles in the Muslim community, the impact of the media, as well as the lack of effective role models, have affected the proper development of the Muslim youth.

He said most Muslim parents who practiced polygamy failed to consider the responsibilities that went with the system, adding that the proper up-bringing of children required both parental concern and economic capability.

Mr Nsiah said the Muslim youth was exposed to lots of things by the media, such as negative publications, profane music, computer money laundering and a lot more which tend to be harmful to their proper development.

He said although the media provide some level of education, entertainment, and information which help to widen the scope of the youth, they do more harm than good to the youth. He urged Muslim leaders to further their training, to sharpen their skills to enable them to discharge their duties diligently, adding that more programmes on Islamic teachings should be designed to help the youth. He later called on all Muslims to plan, organise, direct and nurture the energies, expectations, and the emotions of the youth for the upliftment of the Islamic community and the nation in totality.