Death of Adisadel studentFMC, Ghana calls for restraint

The Federation of Muslim Councils (FMC) has called for restraint, following the death of a student at Adisadel College in Cape Coast.

In a statement issued in Accra yesterday, the Federation appealed to the Ghana Education Service “to enforce the regulation which allow school authorities to sanctify the religious freedom of all students without hindrance.” The statement was signed by Hajj A. W. Showumi, National Coordinator. Below is the full text.

The federation of Muslim Councils (FMC) Ghana expresses its deep condolences to the family of Abdul-Gafaru Mustapha, a final student of Adisadel College, whose sad death occurred on Sunday, 16th March 2008, in a bid to avoid an extra curricula activity of the school.

The FMC wish to add its voice to the Ghana Education Service, (GES), The Police, The Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly, the Central Regional Minister and indeed all well meaning Ghanaians for restraint while investigations are conducted into the matter. The FMC wish to call on all Muslim students to pay attention to institutional regulations which is cardinal to the smooth running of the institution, and always remember that 'the cast that one is made of can never be broken'.

The most important reason for being in school is to acquire knowledge and all others are secondary once there is clear focus. With hindsight to related disturbances involving Muslim Students in Christian Mission Schools, the Federation wishes to appeal to the GES to enforce the regulation which allow school authorities to sanctify the religious freedom of all students without hindrance.

It is important also for every Muslim student to identify himself/herself with the branch of Ghana Muslim Students Association (GMSA) to avoid force inducement by other faiths. FMC is planning a tour of some selected schools to acquaint itself with the challenges facing Muslim Students with the view of finding solution to them.

The FMC is also facilitating the re-introduction of examining Arabic at the West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) as soon as possible to satisfy the numerous schools teaching Arabic as a Subject for Examination. We finally pray that Almighty Allah Grant his pardon to our departed Son and Brother, hoping that the departed is granted Jannat Firdausi (the highest stage in paradise).