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Politics of Wednesday, 6 October 2004

Source: GNA

Don't embroil religions in politics -Muslim chief advises

New Edubiase (Ash), Oct 6, GNA - Chief Ahmed Ibrahim, President of the Council of Zongo Chiefs in Kumasi, has expressed concern about the assumption by some political parties that if they elect Christians as their flag bearers, their running mates should be Muslims.

He said that assumption would not do the country any good since it had the tendency of dividing the country on religious lines.

Chief Ibrahim said the assumption also had the tendency of getting the people to cast their votes on religious of tribal lines and said this situation should be avoided at all cost.

He was speaking to the Ghana News Agency on the need for Ghanaians to ensure peaceful election in December at New Edubiase in the Adansi South district at the weekend.

Chief Ibrahim pointed out that a presidential candidate or a running mate had nothing to do with religion and therefore advised people who want to make this as an issue to think carefully about the repercussions.

He advised the political parties to work hard to win political power instead of believing that if they elected particular people as their flag bearers, they will win easily.

Chief Ibrahim advised Muslim politicians not to allow their selfishness to affect Islam and asked them rather to work hard to uplift the image of the religion.

He asked Muslim politicians to note that they were accountable to their people and God for their political deeds and therefore charged Muslim leaders in the country to pray for good conduct and peaceful elections.

Chief Ibrahim advised Muslim youth not to allow themselves to be used by any political party to disturb the peace before, during and after the elections and also asked Muslim leaders to be neutral in their speeches and actions so as not to influence people to vote for one particular party.