National Chief Imam urges preservation of unity - As Muslims thank Allah for peaceful elections

Sheikh Sharubutu said the country had always been regarded as a peaceful once hence the responsibility of every Ghanaian to play the role of maintaining peace even after the general elections.

He explained that elections provided the means for Ghanaians to express their views about the government through the ballot.

Sheikh Sharubutu, therefore, urged all to remain calm and advised that legal means should be used to address all issues in order to keep the country peaceful.

He commended Ghanaians, expecially, the Muslim communities, for going through successful polls.

He also urged the youth to be disciplined at all times and not allow themselves to be used as tools for voilence.

“Choose the path of peace always and Allah would reward you abundantly,” he urged.

Muslims in Madina observed extra Sujud, (supplication) as an expression of gratitude to Allah for the peace that reigned throughout the election period and now, writes Amasaba Abdul-Yakeen Aluizah.

In a sermon during a special national prayer event, Imam Amadu Shiebu Abdallah, the Chief  Imam of the Madina Central Mosque, praised Ghanaians, particularly, Muslims for keeping the peace during the 2012 general election. 

He said the continued peace in Ghana was a victory to all Ghanaians and that it should be treasured and sustained for future generations.  

Immediately after the obligatory Juma’ah (Friday) prayers, Imam  Abdallah, entreated the congregation to undertake an extra supplication for the peaceful conduct exhibited by Muslims and Zongo communities during and after the polls.

He also commended the National chief Imam, Sheiik Sharabutu, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll, the two former presidents, J. J. Rawlings and J. A. Kufuor for their efforts towards peace building in Ghana.

He said a country with such great leaders should be able to stand together and foster the peace prevailing in the country.

Chief Wala Alhaji Alhassan Iddrisu, Chairman of Madina Community Chiefs, said the leadership in Madina was proud of the Muslims and  residents of  the Zongo Community at Madina.

He said for the first time in a general election, they were yet to hear reports that a Muslim and Zongo youth had been involved in any act of violence.

The Youth Chief of Kadoo at Madina, Abubakar Amadu Toloba, said that there was peace among the members of the National Democratic congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP).

 The youth leader said members of the two groups shared a common value and undertook several community activities together and, therefore, would not let politics divide them.

 In Tamale, hundreds of Muslims converged at the various mosques in the metropolis to offer their regular Friday and special prayers for the peace and stability of the country, reports Mohammed Nurudeen.

A large number of worshippers were particularly seen at the Ambarriyya and Tamale Central mosques, where many residents observe their Friday prayers.

The leader of the Sunni Community in Tamale, Sheik Abubakar Zakaria Said led the prayer at the Ambarriya Mosque, while the Chief Imam of the Tamale Central Mosque, Alhaji Ahmed Abdul Salam, led the congregation at the mosque.

Both underscored the need for Ghanaians not to do anything to erode the gains made so far in their democratic experience.

They prayed for calm and peace to prevail in areas where violence had been recorded.

From Kumasi Joseph Kyei-Boateng, that hundreds of Muslims Friday prayed to Allah (God) for peace to prevail in the country after the declaration of December 7 election results.

The special prayers were in response to a directive by President John Dramani Mahama to all religious groups to pray for peace to prevail after the December elections.

The Ashanti Regional Chief Imam, Sheikh Abdul Mumin Harun, who led the prayers, asked Allah to redeem the people of Ghana from any violence.

He asked all Muslims and members of other religious faiths to continue to pray for the country for understanding and unity.

Prayers were said to mark a smooth transition of four deceased Muslims – three females and a male- to Allah.

Among the dead was a sister of Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, Member of Parliament for Asawasi. She was popularly called Boya.

Story by Zainabu Issah