I’m not in Ghana to preach extremism – Bilal Philips (audio)
An Islamic Scholar, Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips has explained that he was in Ghana to meet with Muslim leaders to promote education among especially Muslim youth and not to preach extremism as being speculated by a section of the media.
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As the founder of the Islamic Online University, Dr Philips said he was not an extremist but someone who wants to promote the education of the youth within Muslim communities in the country.
Dr. Philips who was in Tamale to address a gathering at the Jubilee Park on Monday stated that his focus was about education not to stir up the emotions of any particular group of persons including the youth.
He said since his arrival in Tamale on Monday he has met with the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ken Yeboah and has been given the go ahead to host the meeting at the Jubilee Park.
He said he does not subscribe to the views held by ISIS, Boko Haram and other fundamentalists groups and described their activities as anti-Islamic and anti-human since the Prophet of Islam, Prophet Mohammed never preached violence.
He also condemned the various suicide attacks being carried out by Boko Haram and ISIS, saying that this Jihadist groups have hijacked the name and symbols of Islam to pursue their interest.
Listen to Dr Bilal Philips explain the purpose of his visit here {mp3}bilal_philips_in_tamle{/mp3}
Dr. Philips said as now a total of 240,000 students have enrolled in his online university pursuing various degree courses in Business, Education and the Humanities.
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Meanwhile the National Security Secretariat moved to calm nerves on after reports emerged in a section of the media that an Islamic scholar with alleged terrorism links had been preaching in the country.
Reports that Ghana is hosting Dr Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, who has been banned from entering several countries, including the UK, US and Kenya, provoked a firestorm of controversy and consternation among some Ghanaians.
On social media, news of Dr Philips arrival in Ghana drew condemnation from some users, who expressed fear that the Canadian citizen could incite Ghanaian Muslims to violence.