Muslim Women Charged To Inculcate Virtues Of Peace, Love In Children

The Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Amidu Chinnia Issahaku, has called on Muslim women in the country to nurture peace in their families in a bid to help create a harmonious Ghanaian society.

According to him, families play important roles in the national peace agenda, therefore, it is imperative that such peace-loving relations are translated into a tranquil society to fuel growth and development.

He was speaking to the 39th National Annual Ahmadiyya Muslim Women Conference (Lajna Imaillah) in Wa last Friday. Chinnia Issahaku charged Muslim women to inculcate in their children the virtues of peace and love.

The conference brought together Ahmadiyyah Muslim women from all over the country to deliberate on the theme: “Creating a Peaceful Society: The Role of the Muslim Woman.”

The women were advised to help train their children to love one another and respect the elderly, intrinsic Ghanaian values that have been neglected over the years.

He said Muslim women were placed in a unique opportunity to model future leaders in accordance with the tenets of the Islamic religion, and should not relent in that effort.

The Jirapa Municipal Chief Executive, Mrs Christine Bombanye Amadu, noted that it was the female who imbibed the principles of faith in society, and so a woman's actions and inactions could have a great influence on the kind of children being brought up.

The task for peace building and propagation of peaceful messages in various communities, she noted, were squarely placed on women who ought to take up the challenge and ensure peace in the wake of global unrest.

“We need to go beyond prayers and supplications, and, therefore, take practical steps to prevent conflicts in our societies at all times,” she said.

The Wa Diocesan President of the Christians Mothers Association, Madam Mariana Belane, described women as persons with “motherly instincts”, which positions them as unique in the upbringing of children who are peacemakers.

“So, when you fail your role as mothers, you produce dysfunctional children in society who will be at war with themselves and others,” she said, and urged them to instill the virtues of forgiveness and love in children for them to grow and cherish peace.

“When children are brought up in peaceful homes, they grow up to cherish peace and become peace makers,” she added.

Hajia Bushirata Umar, Upper West Regional President of the Ahmadiyyah Muslim Women Association, stated that the gathering portrayed women and girls in the Ahmadiyyah community as shining examples of Islamic teachings – understanding the true meaning of freedom which established the honour and dignity of Muslim women.

She objected to claims by some critics of Islam that the religion advocated harsh and cruel treatment of women and relegated females to the background.