Muslims Unhappy After NLA Appointment

Muhammad Abdul-Salam, Chief Executive Officer of the National Lottery Authority (NLA)

The Muslim community has been restless following the appointment of Mr. Muhammad Abdul-Salam as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Lottery Authority (NLA).

The concept of brotherhood in Islam emphasizes that every Muslim, regardless of location, is a brother. Whatever happens to a fellow Muslim, whether good or bad, becomes a shared responsibility. This spirit of unity has compelled Muslims to be deeply concerned about the affairs of their brethren.

Islam prohibits all forms of gambling, as clearly stated in the Qur’an (5:90). Moreover, any involvement in crime or wrongdoing makes all participants sinful, regardless of the degree of their involvement. For the Muslim community, appointing a practicing Muslim to head the NLA undermines the spiritual integrity of all Muslims.

Furthermore, gambling is corrupting the morals of the youth. In September 2024, Edward Unicorn, a 32-year-old accountant for the Ghana Police Church, was sentenced to two years in prison by the Adentan Circuit Court for misappropriating GH₵40,433.50 of church funds to play “Aviator,” an online betting game.

Islamic economics is rooted in the principles of fairness, equality, and equity. It rejects the concept of “winner takes all,” which exacerbates the gap between the rich and the poor.

The country should also be concerned that in Zongo communities and coastal areas in Accra, there are more pubs and lottery centers than public libraries. The love for books has diminished as the youth gravitate toward the pursuit of quick money.

With the newly appointed CEO of the NLA, two major concerns arise: the normalization of gambling and the spread of corruption among the youth. Young people involved in gambling may view him as a role model. No number of verses from the Qur’an or the Bible may dissuade them. This could embolden the youth to become greedier and more self-centered.

For the Muslim community, the advocacy has always been that the government should raise the betting tax to 50% to deter the youth, who increasingly disregard honest ways of earning a living in favor of shortcuts such as gambling, fraud, and theft.

In 2023, when a Muslim named Fuseini won a significant amount of money through betting, the Muslim community initiated an intense conversation about the prohibition of gambling. A video titled “Return the GH¢6 Million Bet Money – Muslims to Fuseini and Family” was later produced, urging him to renounce the earnings.

As long as gambling remains prohibited in Islam, nothing else matters. The Muslim community’s responsibility is to condemn the act, regardless of who is involved. The ultimate goal is to build a society rooted in high moral standards and financial fairness.