Do not give your girls for early marriage- Muslims urged

Mr Samuel Sarpong, Central Regional Minister, on Tuesday called on Muslims to send their girl-children to school instead of giving them out for early marriages.

He said the practice does not only affect the education of the victims but also their health and social well-being.

Mr Sarpong made the call when he joined hundreds of Muslims at the Holy Child prayer grounds to mark this year's Eid- ul-Adha celebration in Cape Coast.

Eid-ul Adha is a Muslim festival of sacrifice.
Addressing the Muslims, the regional Minister commended them for their peacefully co-existence with Christians in the region.

Alhaji Yusufi Mohammed Kabate, Regional Imam, said Islam is a religion of peace, unity and oneness hence the need for Muslims to allow the principles and teachings of the Prophet Mohammed to reflect in their daily activities.

He tasked parents to endeavour to send their children to school and ensure that they stay in school by providing all their needs to enable them strive to the highest level in their academic studies.

Alhaji Kabate urged Muslims youth to shirk all social vices and endeavour to be law abiding, respect their chiefs, opinion leaders and people in authority to ensure peace and order in the country.

He also called on the youth to desist from the practice of riding or driving recklessly during Muslim festivities since it is a feast of sacrifice, peace and reconciliation and not time to show off their riding and driving skills.

Mr Sarpong on behalf of the Government presented a ram, 10 bags of rice and three cartons of cooking oil and undisclosed amount of money to the regional Imam.

At the Cape Coast Technical Institute, the Vice  President of  the Ahmadiyya Mission University,  Maulvi Khalieel Baig  urged Muslim youth to be law abiding and  circumspect in whatever they do and   to avoid any act of violence .

He asked Muslims to lead a sacrificial life of sharing and also be their neighbour's keeper.

Ms Priscilla Arhin, Cape Coast Metropolitan Chief Executive, urged Muslims to let the benefits of the festival of sacrifice reflect in their activities and endeavour to live in peace with their neighbours.

She asked them to celebrate in moderation and not to engage in activities that would put them in trouble.

Prayers were said for the President John Dramani Mahama, Members of Parliament, Council of State members, people of the region, Muslims and the nation as a whole.

Ms Arhin presented a Bull and undisclosed amount of money, 10 bags of rice, two cartons of cooking oil to the Maulvi.