source: millennium news
story by: Yunus Swalahudeen Wakpenjo
The frontier of Ghanaian muslim community breaks even, following GHC50k donation made by the national chief imam of Ghana towards the building of a supposed national cathedral to house non-denominational Christian service and other converging factors.
In the last budget review presented by the finance minister of Ghana mr. Ken ofori Attah for 2021 expenditure. The minister subsequently made an appeal for all Ghanaian to make diverse contribution towards the realisation of Mr. president’s dream of constructing national cathedral. A dream, prioritized by the president over lack of social amenities and other infrastructural deficit in the country.
An amount of GHC100 as minimum quotation was defied by his eminence the spiritual leader of Ghanaian muslim community, Dr Sheikh Usmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, as he made a controversial donation of GHC50k, an equivalent of 500, 000,000 old Ghanaian currency.
His demeanour was welcomed with lot of lashes from section of Ghanaian and large number of muslim communities. According to them, the action of the imam was a sheer mediocrity and support for same. Adding, Ghanaian for that matter, the muslim community have pressing needs which must be prioritised over the building of some sort of national cathedral.
Section of muslim scholar who saw reason in what the spiritual leader did, run to his defence while others are of the view that, his conduct is against the teachings and practices of islam.
special aid to his eminence and spokesperson, sheikh Aremeyao Shuaib in his interviews with various media, following brouhaha on the gesture of the imam, stressed that, the imam made such symbolic donation in good faith and in the supreme interest of peace and stability among muslims and none muslim communities in Ghana. According to him, ‘Islam fully support that and so the imam has not done anything untoward to warrant such lambasting and castigation from section of Ghanaian, for that matter Muslims’. He made several references to theological books, with reference from the Islamic scripture.
Nonetheless, other scholars and Muslim representation stood with him and his eminence for such symbolic gesture as they termed it.
However, those teaming number of Muslims who opposed his action, have refused to relate his actions to any scriptural references. They are of the view that, the imam has been manipulated to compromise his faith and position for other people’s greed and selfish crave.
According to them, Islam preaches harmony and peaceful coexistence with other faith, but not to the extent of making input to the construction of place where in their understanding, the name of God is subjected to disrepute.
Others are also contemplating where the said money came from and those who masterminded the supposed ceremony which has brought the name of the revered supreme Islamic leader in Ghana.
The latest allegation pointed finger at the vice president of the republic of Ghana, Dr. Mahmoudu Bawumiah. Suggesting that, he is playing a serious game of checks behind the national chief imam in order to enrich his 2024 presidential ambition with the support of the zongo and muslim base.
However, since that allegation, the office of the vice president is yet to issue any official statement to refute the claim or stress on it. More so, the office of the national chief imam would have nothing to do with such allegation as they relate those claims as baseless and without substance.
It is apparently unclear what the interest and priorities of Ghanaians are, as many leadership errors are made in all sphere on daily basis, yet, there has not been a time when they mutually agree or disagree to a collective interest.
Political, religious and sectarian polarisation is in high play, as against nationalism and divinity. This situation is really causing high state retrogression as well as social, political and religious quagmire in the country.
Muslims in Ghana are highly challenged in many aspects of development. For centuries, Muslims in Ghana perches in the shelters of other religions and are reluctant to be independent. This, in several ways affect Islam of over thousand Muslims before they are aged 18 years and above.
Meanwhile, Muslims make flamboyant expenditure and contributions to the welfare of other religions when they can invest to become partners in development instead of liability on the state and others.
Nonetheless, the heat is on Ghanaian Muslims to own their infrastructure, but until when……….