Islamic Society clothes prison inmates

AS PART of activities marking this year's Eid-Ul-Fitr celebration, the Islamic Library for Reading and Recording Centre, a Kumasi-based Islamic society, has presented second-hand clothes and assorted items, worth over GH¢2,200, to inmates of both the Kumasi Central and Manhyia Prisons.

In addition, the Society presented soap, a bag of rice and a cash donation of GH¢100, raised through contributions by the public. The presentation, which is done annually to commemorate the end of the Ramadan festivities, form part of the society's social responsibility towards ensuring the social and psychological wellbeing, of our brothers and sisters in the two prisons.

Presenting the items at separate occasions, the Director of the Centre, Sheikh Nuhu Abubakar Siddique, said the gesture was the society's widow's mite towards the rehabilitation of the inmates, and to make them feel part of society.

He said there was the need for the society to take care of our brothers and sisters, who through some circumstances found themselves in the unfortunate situation of being in prison, adding the fact that they were in prison did not mean they were isolated from the society.

Sheikh Nuhu noted that times like these were very important for Moslems and Ghanaians in general, to reflect on the conditions of the inmates, and also pray for their welfare.

He, therefore, urged Moslems not to see the end of the Ramadan, as the end to virtues and good deeds, but instead continue to live in peace and harmony among themselves, and avoid negative tendencies that go to taint the image to the Islamic religion.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Kumasi Central Prison, the Deputy Superintendent of Prisons, Rev. Martin Padi, commended the society for the kind gesture, and expressed the inmates' appreciation to Sheikh Nuhu for always coming to their aid.

At the Manhyia Prison, the society donated an amount of GH¢100, in addition to second-hand clothes and soap, and urged the inmates to exhibit good characters, in order to ensure their early release.

The officer in charge of the Prison, ASP Robert Awologutu, called on other societies to emulate the shining example of the Islamic Library and Recording Centre, and come to their aid regularly.