Africa-Press – Ghana. President John Dramani Mahama has on the occasion of the first National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, hailed the immense contributions of the Islamic community to the moral, spiritual and social advancement of Ghana.
He also paid a special tribute to Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam, whom he described as a father to the nation and a living embodiment of humility, wisdom and peace.
He was speaking during the Islamic Service at the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving at the National Mosque at Kanda in Accra.
In attendance at the event were Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam, and Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih, the Ameer and Missionary in-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana.
Dignitaries at the Islamic Service included Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Mr Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the Acting Chief Justice and Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson.
President Mahama noted that the day was a day of profound national reflection, a non-partisan event, which was not a favour to any individual or government.
“It is a spiritual duty. It is a sacred opportunity for us as Ghanaians to turn our hearts to the Almighty, to give thanks to Him and seek His continued blessings,” the President stated.
He said the day was rooted in a divine principle found in Surah Ibrahim 14:7, which says: “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you in favour.”
The President noted that in a world that was convulsed by war, economic hardship, disease and disunity, Ghana, remained a beacon of relative peace and coexistence.
“This is not by our strength alone. It is not by the cleverness of our policies or the competence of men. It is above all, by the mercy of Allah and the ceaseless prayers and sacrifices of righteous men and women like you who have made this possible.”
President Mahama on behalf of Ghanaians expressed gratitude to Allah for life and the peace of the nation.
“We are grateful for the strength of tolerance that allows Muslims, Christians, traditional believers and people of no formal religion to live side by side in harmony. Allah, we say thank you,” President Mahama stated.
The President in sharing a lighthearted but telling example of the peaceful coexistence between religions in the country, noted that during every Eid celebration, non-Muslim brothers and sisters, whether they were neighbours, workmates or friends, eagerly await their share of the Salla meat.
The President said this year, he saw a post on social media during the recent Eid al-Adha festival, which said “To whom Christmas jollof and chicken was given, Salla meat is expected.”
President Mahama said that simple act of sharing across religious boundaries says something more profound about who Ghanaians were as a people.
“We are people capable of celebrating one another’s blessings. But this peace, this fragile gift must never be taken for granted,” he said.
“We must work even harder to defend our national harmony in these times of rising intolerance. We must not allow politics to divide us.”
The President urged Ghanaians to reject tribalism and extremism in all its forms; saying, “And we must resist those who profit from our disunity.”
He said the diversity of ethnicity, language and faith was not a weakness; stating that “it is a blessing from Allah.”
Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih, the Ameer and Missionary in-charge of Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana, who delivered the homily, urged Ghanaians to be grateful to Allah for the peace and stability of the nation.
He noted that Allah had endowed Ghana with huge blessings of natural resources such as mineral wealth and vast fertile arable lands, which Ghanaians must be grateful for.
The President prior to attending the Islamic Service of the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, attended the Christian Service at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra.
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