Veep asks Muslims to discourage doctrinal conflicts

Asokore (ASH), July 30, GNA- Vice President Aliu Mahama at the weekend urged Muslims not to allow differences in the interpretation of the Quran to degenerate into doctrinal conflicts.

He said differences were bound to occur among Muslims due to their varied background and orientation but they must not allow such dissimilarities to divide them since they all had a common belief in the Supremacy of Allah.

Vice President Alhaji Mahama gave the advice when he cut the sod for the construction of a 37 billion-cedi Tijanniyya secondary school complex at Asokore in the Sekyere East District of the Ashanti Region, a brainchild of the first International Conference of the Tijanniyya Movement in Accra.

He said the District had, in particular witnessed doctrinal conflicts among Muslims, which led to violence, adding: "We should learn to tolerate opposing views rather than forcing others to accept our perceptions and points of view."

"This is the only way we can co-exist as brothers and sisters with a common faith and destiny. Indeed the Prophet enjoins Muslims to live in peace with one another."

The school project would comprise 18-classroom block; a library; computer laboratory; dormitories, staff bungalows and a mosque. Vice President Alhaji Mahama expressed appreciation for the self-help initiative of the Movement and one, Sheikh Abdul Wahud Harun Cisse who donated four acres of land for the project.

"I understand the Paramount Chief of Asokore, (Nana Dr Susubiribi Krobea Asante) has also promised to give additional land for the project for which he deserves commendation," he said.

Vice President Alhaji Mahama said due to the premium Government placed on education, a total of 1.66 billion cedis was received by the Asokore District for the 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 academic year for the implementation of the Capitation Grant.

He said since 2001, Government had also provided 29 first cycle schools in the District.

Vice President Mahama challenged Moslems in the community to be inspired by the project to send their children especially girls to school.

"This school should also provide a convenient place of learning to mob up the excess demand for secondary school education in the District."

Alhaji Ahmed Saed, National Secretary of the Tijaniyya Movement said the project was being sponsored through internally generated funds, which had so far yielded three billion cedis.

He expressed the hope that the first batch of students would be admitted during the 2007/2008 academic year. Nana Susubiribi Krobea Asante, who was the chairman for the occasion appealed to the Government to rehabilitate the Asokore-Senchi road to facilitate the development of the area.

In a related development, Vice President Alhaji Mahama attended the birthday celebration of Prophet Mohammed in Kumasi, which was attended by a large number of Muslims, including the Chief Imam, Sheikh Nuhu Sharabutu.

He asked Muslims to take advantage of Government's Human Resource Development by embracing education in order to keep pace with development.

Vice Presaident Alhaji Mahama eulogized the founder of Islam as a man who demonstrated tolerance in deed and words throughout his life. "If we, as leaders strive to emulate this worthy personality, we will provide quality leadership based on truthfulness, self-sacrifice and perseverance to our people," he said.

He said the Prophet enjoined Muslims to live in peace with one another and co-exist as brothers and sisters with common faith and destiny.