Unity of UW Muslims and Christians grows stronger

Muslims and Christians in Upper West have come together to mark the end of this year’s Ramadan in show of unity among the religious community as they prayed and feasted together on Wednesday.

Leadership of Council of Churches and the Catholic Church headed by Rev Father Richard Kuuia Baawobr and traditional religious leaders joined the Ahmadiyya, Allasuna and orthodox Muslims to feast at the Residency after a mass prayer at the Jubilee Park.

The show of oneness and good neighbourliness symbolised a stronger bond amid leadership of the religious groups and also brought joy and happiness among security personnel and political leaders.

Vice President Dr Mohamudu Bawumia who was in the region to pray with his Muslim brothers and sisters was full of happiness to witness such a spectacle bond between Christians and Muslims.

“I urge all of you not to let agent provocateurs destroy our unique way of life,” Bawumia earlier told a teeming congregants ahead of the feast to climax the Eid ul-Fitr.

“I know you have heard of threats and actual attacks by Christian and Muslim miscreants in the West Africa Region and other parts of the world,” he added. “We do not ever want this phenomenon to occur in our country”.

He also urged the public to report any suspicious character in their localities to the police.

“Whilst the security agencies work to keep all of us safe, I encourage you to report suspicious characters who come into your communities to take advantage of our well-acclaimed hospitality to unleash mayhem on our country”.

He urged the religious leaders to uphold the peace and unity in the region and pray for the progress, development and prosperity of the country as President Akufo-Addo’s administration worked to “make things happen”.

Dr Hafiz Bin-Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister, expressed delight that Vice President Bawumia was in the region to pray with Muslims and to partake in Eid ul-Fitr merrymaking with the people to wind up the 30 days fasting and prayer.

“This is the first time a sitting vice president found it necessary to join us in the region to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr with us,” he said.

He also said the celebration of end of Ramadan by diverse religious sects presented a good sign to the rest of the world that both Muslims and Christians lived in unity for a common purpose.

“This is a signal we are sending to the whole world that both Muslims and Christians are one and interact with each other,” he added.

Alhaji Dr Mohammed Bukari Suleman, the Wa Municipal Chief Imam, who led the mass prayer said: “All praise be to Allah, the creator and sustainer of the universe. With pleasure, devotion and love for Allah and His Holy prophet, we have successfully completed the 2019 Ramadan fast”.