Prayers Needed to End Inter-ethnic Clashes- Maulvi Bin Salih Urges

The Ameer and Missionary in Charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Maulvi Mohamed Bin Salih, has called on religious leaders and Ahmadi Muslims to rather pray for an end to inter-ethnic and inter-communal violence occurring in parts of the country.

He said the recent clashes between the Chokosi and Konkomba which have resulted in needless deaths were instances which called for a concerted societal prayer action.

Maulvi Bin Salih was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 87th Annual National Convention of the Mission held at Pomadze, near Winneba.

The event was held under the theme: 'Building a Violent-Free Society-The Role of the Citizen.'

It was attended by over 38,000 Ahmadi Muslims from all parts of the world, including Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Libya, Egypt, France, Canada, Italy, USA and Trinidad and Tobago.

He urged all stakeholders in the religious sector to pray that the roadmap for peace in Dagbon between the Andani and Abudu royal families would proceed without any hitch for development to prevail in that area.

Maulvi Bin Salih reminded members of the message from the Spiritual Leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad that they - the Community was striving to build the foundation for a universal brotherhood.

He said the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat could not be conveyed without Ahmadis displaying affection and brotherhood to mankind adding that any group of people who exhibit any form of superiority complex could not spread the message of brotherhood.

The Ameer said under the Mission's Education and Welfare Fund inaugurated last year, hundreds of deprived Ahmadi children have been retained in basic and secondary schools.

'Besides looking after the welfare of widows and the payment of medical bills of indigent members, some youth with skills have been assisted to set up their own enterprises,' the Ameer said.

Maulvi Bin Salih advised Ahmadi Muslims to live lives that are the embodiment of Islam and characterized by humility and righteousness to attract converts.

He appealed to members to dedicate their children to be trained as missionaries to help provide moral and spiritual training to the growing number of Ahmadi Muslims.

In his message, Hazrat Masroor Ahmad, cautioned Ahmadi Muslims against arrogance and conceit based on tribal affiliation or social position because they hinder the achievement of piety.

'What is essential is that you should enhance your standard of piety and righteousness because God's blessings are derived from treading on this path,' he said.

Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President, was the Special Guest of Honour and fraternal messages were presented by the National Chief Imam, Dr Sheikh Osman Sharabutu, Catholic Secretariat and Christian Council of Ghana.

---GNA