Wealthy Muslims urged to support the poor

The Tema Metropolitan Deputy Chief Imam, Alhaji Sulley Iddrisu Sika, has advised wealthy Muslims to cater for their less-privileged ones, in this period of the Eid ul Fitr festivities.

He pointed out that during this period, it was unnecessary to donate to the rich and well to do in society, but to the poor and under-privileged, so as to attract blessings from the Almighty Allah.

Alhaji Iddrisu made this known at a thanksgiving gathering, to round off this year's Eid'Fitr celebrations of Muslims within the Tema Metropolis, at the Tema Sports Stadium, last Tuesday.

He said after the 30 days of Ramadan, Allah had accepted their worship and prayers, explaining that fasting was meant to develop their moral and spiritual character, bringing their perceptual organs under control, total submission, and obedience to Allah.

The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), David Quaye Annang, on his part, advised Muslims to make good use of the Free Education system, School Feeding Program and the National Health Insurance Scheme, which were introduced into the country by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), under President Agyekum Kufuor.

He emphasised the need for every Muslim parent, to take advantage of the free education, by enrolling their children in public schools anywhere in the country, and that the government would pay their fees.

He urged them to keep Tema and it environs, under clean and hygienic conditions, in order to avoid filth and the spread of diseases.

The TMA boss called for peace in the December 7 general elections, explaining that election was not for violence, but the sharing of opinions on political issues.

He also called on Ghanaians to comport themselves before, during, and after the general elections, and prove to all and sundry that “we are one people with one destiny.”

In related development, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kpone Katamanso Constituency, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, has donated twenty 50kg bags of rice, estimated at the cost of GH¢1,200, to the Muslim communities in the Kpone-Katamanso Constituency, towards the Eid ul Fitr celebrations.

The beneficiary communities included Zenu, Gbetsile, Michael Camp, Kpone, Nsrehu, Appolonia, Oyibi, Kubekro and Bawaleshi.

Making the donation on behalf of the MP, who was outside the country, Mr. Ellis Aferi, Chairman of the Kpone-Katamanso branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), disclosed that the donation was the MP's annual kind gesture to the Muslim communities in the constituency.

The NDC Chairman disclosed that since assuming office four years ago, the Kpone-Katamanso MP had made it a habit to donate items to members of the Muslim communities in his constituency, by way of supporting the annual celebration.

He said the MP, who is popularly known in political circles as Lion, would continue to support the Muslims every year, as long as he remained MP for the area.

Mr. Aferi called on the people in the constituency, especially the youth, to vote massively for the sitting MP and the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Atta Mills, for the betterment of Ghana.

He pointed out that the NDC party was not selective, but stood for the well-being and concern of all and sundry in the country.

Malam Salisu Mohammed, Chief Imam of the Zenu Muslim Community, received the items on behalf of the Muslims, and thanked the MP's representatives for their kind gesture.