MUSLIMS URGED TO PURSUE PATH OF UNITY (SEPT 22, BACK PAGE)

THE Ameer (Head) and Missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana, Maulvi Wahab Adam, has called on Muslims to use the occasion of the Eid-ul-Fitr festival to foster unity and peace among themselves and other religious organisations for national cohesion and development.
Maulvi Adam, who delivered a sermon on the occasion of the Eid-ul- Fitr in Accra yesterday, said unity and discipline were essential prerequisites for national cohesion and development.
He explained that the 30 days’ fasting and prayers had the primary objective of fostering unity and engendering discipline in Muslims and the society as a whole.
He stressed that having successfully gone through presidential and parliamentary elections that had won the country international approbation and goodwill, “all of us have a duty to ensure that the country stays together in unity’’.
The Ameer said Ghanaians should not allow their religious and ethnic diversity or political differences to divide the country and weaken the resolve to build for posterity a just, humane, caring and great nation.
He said that was possible only through tolerance, mutual respect and the realisation that all Ghanaians, as rightful citizens, had a stake in the country’s development.
He said in all relationships and dealings, it was essential that Ghanaians chose dialogue and not violence as the only guarantee for survival as one great people with a common destiny.
Maulvi Adam appealed to Ghanaians to hold fast to time-tested procedures and institutions and allow them to work without undue interference.
He advised Muslims to be wary of groups who called for the sanctioning of Muslims among them who did not partake in the fast.
He said in some countries, they even called for the closure of eating places such as restaurants and described that as unIslamic since Islam had exempted minors, pregnant women, the invalid and those travelling from fasting.
Maulvi Adam wondered where else those exempted from fasting could eat if all restaurants and other places for eating were closed.
He explained that according to the Islamic tradition, a fasting Muslim would be rewarded if he had the tolerance and patience to sit with those who could not fast and urged Muslims to be tolerant, a virtue required by Muslims during the Ramadan.
Maulvi Adam used the blessed and auspicious occasion of the Eid-ul-Fitr to pray for the country's leaders, including traditional rulers, as well as others, for guidance and prosperity.