Let's do our part for peace to prevail - Aliu urges Muslims

Accra, March 19 GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama has asked Muslims to contribute their quota to ensure that peace prevailed during political campaigns and Election 2004.

He said: "Being an election year, it is crucial that we, Muslims, play our diligent part to keep the peace. We must accommodate each other's opinions, conduct and beliefs without duress or intimidation."

Vice President Mahama was speaking at a reception held in honour of the visiting worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V.

He said it was important for Muslims to appreciate the values of liberal democracy, which thrived on the principle: "Government is derived from public opinion, overtly and freely expressed.

"We must also understand that the Government sets out to rule not in the interest of any one group or alliance of groups but in the common interest of all, he stressed.

He commended Ahmadis for their high level of tolerance, which he said enabled them to co-exist peacefully with people belonging to other religious sects.

Vice President Mahama welcomed Hadhrat Ahmad to Ghana and commended the Mission's contribution to agriculture, health care and education sectors.

He said Ghana was honoured to be the first among 170 countries to host him since his election to the high office in April 2003. Hadhrat Ahmad, who is on a 12-day visit to Ghana, participated in the 75th Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Ghana. Vice President Mahama said Ghana shared in the honour of the election of Hadhrat Ahmad, who served in Ghana from 1977 to 1985.

While in Ghana, Hadrat Ahmad was the Principal of the Ahmadiyya Secondary School at Salaga for two years and Principal of Ahmadiyya Secondary School at Essarkyir for four years.

He was also the Manager of Ahmadiyya Agricultural Farm in Northern Ghana for two years during, which he successfully planted and nurtured wheat for the first time in Ghana.

Political and religious leaders, diplomats, chiefs and members of the Ahmadiyya Community attended the reception.