Statement: National Imam of the Shia, Ghana speaks on Ramadan

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. May Allah’s peace and benediction be upon the supreme and trustworthy prophet, and the pure and chosen ones of his family and the worthy ones among his companions.

On behalf of the Shiite fraternity in Ghana, I hereby felicitate the Ghanaian Muslim community and the entire African continent on the auspicious fasting month of Ramadan.

With the commencement of the sacred month of Ramadan, I express hope that the peace, humility, piety, forgiveness, unity and solidarity among Muslim communities and nations would be further consolidated by adhering to Islamic teachings and guidelines of the Prophet Muhammad and his household. I urge Muslims to continue closely working for the sake of furthering and strengthening the unity, tolerance, friendly relations and cooperation existing between Muslims, Christians and members of other religious denominations in the country.

Terrorism is a disease threatening the human race and an evil moving across all borders especially, at this crucial juncture when the sub –region and the entire African continent is passing through a critical period in its struggle against the forces of Sunni extremism, violence and terrorism, only the correct application of the message of the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet and his household can raise the good image of Islam and help us weather the storm.

Since the activities of terrorists know no boundaries and constitute a source of concern in the global community and lead to insecurity in the sub-region, I call on the national security, the police, the military and other security agencies in the country to step up efforts by securing the country`s borders in order to curb the scourge and prevent the spillover of terrorists into the country.

The month of Ramadan plays a salient role in reforming and developing the soul and personality of the individual which in turn positively affects the society as an integrated whole, it is on the bases of this reason that I call on Islamist insurgents especially within the sub-region like Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb AQIM, Al-Shabab, and the Congregation of the People of Sunnah for Proselytism and Jihad (Jama'atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad), known as Boko Haram who seek to establish an Islamic state ruled by Sharia in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to disarm, close their ranks, gather around the real teachings of the holy prophet and his household, embrace peace, tolerance, knowledge and dialogue and to use this sacred month as an opportunity to edify, reform, cultivate, de-radicalize 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. The Holy Qur`an in this regard states:

“Call unto the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair admonition, and dispute with them in the way which is fairest. Surely, your Lord is the knower of the ones who have erred away from His way, and He knows best those who follow the right way” Quran 16:125

I also pray that the Muslim nations particularly the Arab Republic of Syria, Iraq, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the entire Middle East would witness the administration of justice, sense of dialogue, tolerance, establishment of lasting peace and elimination of enmity and discrimination in the region and the world.

I use this medium in congratulating the government on the success of last year's Hajj and for the care and attention they attach 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 provided to pilgrims to perform their rituals with ease and comfort and for all the efforts they made in this regard.

The successes in last year`s Hajj do not mean that we reach the aspirations of Hajj services. I stress that the government will exert more efforts, harness all capabilities and commit Hajj under the full control and supervision of Muslims so as to further consolidate the Islamic agenda.

The challenges confronting the economy are great, but our determination must be greater. I therefore express optimism that the economy would eventually turn around. While I call on Ghanaians to conceal patience and support the government to find an antidote to the current socio-economic crisis in the country, I also urge government to take measures that will not only bring us out of the economic problems but also alleviate the problems and challenges facing the country.

The Shiite fraternity was saddened by such a sudden and tragic loss of Dr. Maulvi Abdul Wahab Adam head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana. I therefore express my sincere condolence to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on the sudden demise of Sheikh Dr. Maulvi Abdul Wahab Adam. We pray may the Almighty Allah grant him eternal peace and repose of his soul.

During this sacred month I wish his eminence Dr. Sheikh Uthman Nuhu Sharubutu the National Chief Imam, Alhaj Umar Ibrahim the National Imam of Ahl-Sunnah and the entire Muslim fraternity Ramadan Kareem.

Seidu Anas Sandow

PRO

Office of the Shia Chief Imam

Tel. 0240707631