Some Muslim clerics in Tamale have pledged their unflinching commitment to resist the infiltration of any form of religious fundamentalism within the Muslim Ummah in the area.

They condemned the activities of the so-called Muslim sect Boko Haram, whose criminal activities have led to the disappearance of innocent children, loss of innocent lives and destruction of property.

Speaking to The Finder in an exclusive interview, the clerics said current events in Nigeria which have led to the abduction of over 200 female students, as well as a series of inhuman acts committed by Boko Haram must be a source of concern to all Africans, especially those in the West African sub-region, as it pose serious security implications for the sub-region and the Sahelian enclave.

The head of the Ambariya Sunni Community, Sheikh Sa-eed Zakariah and the Chief Imam of Tamale Central Mosque, Sheikh Abdul Salaam Adam, in separate interviews noted that the activities of Boko Haram contradicts the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Hadith of the prophet.

They called on Muslims in Ghana to delink Islam from the activities of the group, describing them as pure criminals masquerading as Muslims.

They added that Islam is a peaceful religion and that the lifestyle of Muslims should always reflect that.

The renowned Islamic scholars added that Islam strongly prohibits causing fear and panic among human beings, be they Muslims or Christians, let alone abduct or kill a human being.

Sheikh Zakariah and Sheikh Adam called on all Muslims to refrain from acts of violence and to reject and report anybody who tries to influence them to engage in any religious fundamentalism. “Islam is strongly opposed to any kind of violence or causing fear and panic in the hearts of your neighbours, let alone killing your fellow human being, be they Muslims or Christians,” they noted.

The renowned Islamic scholars also used the opportunity to call on government to encourage Ghanaians to embrace secularism by engaging both religious sects to find solutions to critical issues affecting the country and not to see the problem as that of Muslims.

The two leaders appealed to other religious leaders to preach against these barbaric acts, and charged government to double efforts in solving the youth unemployment problem, noting that if the youth are engaged in productive ventures, they would not be easily influenced to engage in violent activities.

“Religion should not be dividing us; we need to show love to each other and unite in order to launch a sustained assault on poverty and disease, which have been the bane of our underdevelopment,” they added.

They also advised Christians not to see the problem as peculiar to Muslims, saying that those acts are purely criminal and should not be attributed to Islam or Muslims, but should be condemned by all peace-loving people.