Vice President tells Muslims to denounce hooliganism

Vice President Mahama on Monday advised Muslims not to allow themselves to be used as the conduit for violence and other forms of transgression during the forthcoming biometric registration and the December General Election.

“In most cases, groups and political parties tend to use Muslim youth to create confusion and disturbances in major national events like elections, creating the impression as if Muslims are the only strong and violent people,” he added.

He said Islam is a peaceful and decent religion and its followers need to take measures that would defend the religion from cynics who perceive it as a violent religion.

Vice President Mahama gave this advice when Sheikh Nuhu Sharabutu, National Chief Imam led a delegation of Muslim chiefs and Imams to call on him at the Osu Castle.

The delegation, which was made up of members of the council of Muslim chiefs and Regional Chief Imams was at the castle to thank the government for the successful organisation of the last Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca and to make requests that could enhance the betterment of Muslims.

Vice President called on the Muslim leaders to educate their people to come out in their numbers to register during the biometric registration exercise in order to enfranchise them for subsequent elections.

Chief Imoro Baba Issah, Public Relations Officer for the National Chief Imam appealed to the government to intervene and allow Muslim students to practise their religion in public schools without hindrance.

“Your Excellency, some of our children in second cycle institutions in Ghana always complain to us the difficulties they go through, hardships meted on them by some Christian school authorities.

“Muslim students are under pressure to comply with the Christian norms and are badly treated…this we believe is a complete violation of their fundamental human rights and freedom from discrimination.”