Ramadan: My message to Ghanaian Muslim community - Sheikh

Praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. May Allah’s Peace and Benediction be upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad, his infallible progeny, the chosen ones among his companions and those who follow them sincerely till the Day of Reckoning.

On behalf of the Shiite fraternity in Ghana, the Office of Shia National Imam-Ghana hereby, felicitates the Ghanaian Muslim community and the entire African continent on the auspicious fasting month of Ramadan. As we join the rest of the Muslim world to observe the fasting month, I call for unity and forgiveness and hope that we continue working to deepen and expand the peace, unity, tolerance, friendly relations existing between and among Muslims, Christians and members of other religious denominations in the country.

As Muslims, the peace, unity, tolerance and cooperation the country has experienced over the years would be further consolidated by adhering to teachings of the Holy Qur`an and guidelines of Prophet Muhammad and his household. Thus, I express my best wishes to all adherents of other religious denominations in the country for good health and prosperity.

Ramadan As we embark on this spiritual exercise for a month, the abstinence from food and drinks and other physical challenges like weaknesses and exhaustion, intense prayer, contemplation, self-discipline, remembrance of God, good deeds and charity both serve as challenges and opportunities to exercise self-control, cleanse the mind and detox the soul, body and spirit.

Ramadan serves as a reminder of the suffering of the less fortunate, who often don't have access to food and water. Thus, Ramadan is an opportune month to focus on reflection, spiritual growth, forgiveness, patience, resilience, compassion for those less fortunate, and unity and cooperation across communities. The Holy Qur`an states: “O you who believe fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard against evil.” Quran 2:183

By the import of the above Qur`anic injunction, the month of Ramadan plays a tremendous role in edifying and cultivating the soul and personality of the individual Muslim which is expected to positively affect the society as an integrated whole.

It is on the basis of this reason that we call on the youth to earnestly close their ranks, gather around the real teachings of the Holy prophet(s) and his house hold (as), seek knowledge, embrace tolerance, and use this sacred month as an occasion to reform and refrain from all acts injurious to Islam, one`s self and fellow humans so as to help build a virtuous, peaceful and progressive society.

Extremism and Terrorism Without a slight of doubt, it is an important necessity to reiterate that extremism and terrorism are still one of those diseases threatening the human race and an evil moving across all borders. The activities of terrorists know no boundaries and constitute a source of concern to every country including Ghana.

I call on the security agencies in the country to step up efforts by securing the country`s open borders in order to curb the scourge and prevent the spillover of these criminal gangs into the country.

Thus I advise both citizens and the security services to still maintain high level of vigilance. Recent terror attacks, by individuals and groups affiliated to terrorist entities and copycats on neighboring Cote d` ivoir and Burkina Faso in 2016 which left scores of people dead, serve as a reminder that the security services need to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase security awareness.

I advise both citizens and the security services to be wary of terror strikes in any part of the country, maintain high level of vigilance especially in wake of the 2016 election period.

We urge all and sundry to as a matter of collective responsibility trust their instincts and report any suspicious terrorist activity or individuals involved in extremism and terrorism in any way to the police. It is through prompt and detailed reporting of suspicious activities that can also complement efforts of the security agencies in preventing the scourge.

November 2016 Elections

It appears that all eyes of states in both regional and continental level are on the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections slated for November 2016. As preparations intensify for general elections in the country, I urge credible and peaceful polls. The struggle by our fore fathers for the country’s independence from colonialism signifies the need to turn the country’s diversity into a source of strength. We have a historic opportunity to help write the next chapter of Ghana’s progress by voting in the upcoming elections.

I call on all political parties to peacefully express their views, reject the voices of those who call for violence and make it clear to their supporters that violence has no place in democratic elections and that they will not incite, support or engage in any kind of violence before, during, or after the election. It is only when elections are free and fair that the great vote, firm will and determination of this nation will emerge and take shape as it is the responsibility of all citizens to help keep the peace, no matter who emerges victorious.

Middle East We pray that the Muslim nations particularly the Arab Republic of Syria, Iraq, Yemen and the like would witness relative peace, tolerance, elimination of enmity and discrimination in the region and beyond.

Hajj Whilst congratulating the government on the success of last year's Hajj and for the care and attention attached to improve achievements and services of last year`s Hajj.

I also extend thanks and gratitude to all the members and establishments who took part in last year`s pilgrims' services and the contributions they rendered to pilgrims to perform their rituals with ease and comfort. We however, express optimism that government will strive to commit Hajj services, into the full control and supervision of Muslims so as to further consolidate the Islamic agenda.

Throughout this sacred month, I wish all Muslim leaders, academicians, policy makers, civil society and international institutions Ramadan Kareem. Office Of Shia National Imam, Ghana.