The Ghana Muslim Mission has added its voice to the Wesley Girls SHS controversy and indicated that preventing Muslim students from praying and fasting is just unfortunate.
According to its Chairman, Dr. Amin Bonsu, there is the need or the school authorities to rescind their decision since both Christians and Muslims are brothers and sisters.
The development, he said, has become topical in our country in the past few days; drawing both praises and condemnation from various quarters in equal measure.
“But it is important we take a step back and re-consider our stance in this evolving story. It is significant to note that Muslims and Christians fast with the belief that it is in fulfilment of God’s commandment. In this regard, restraining the students from fasting is an act against God and as such we should tread with caution.”
He said, Muslims and Christians are all working in the best interest of the nation by providing education and good moral upbringing to the people of Ghana and that having students of different faiths in one institution helps to train the students on diversity, tolerance and coexistence and this is why Ghana is celebrated the world over as a peaceful and peace-loving country.
According to him, ‘The alternative being preached by some that Muslims should attend Muslim schools while Christians attend Christian schools is a recipe for disaster that we should not bring on our nation. We do not want to raise children who are ignorant about the way of life of other members of our society. What best way to learn about others than to attend the same school with them, share the same dormitory with them, eat with them, play with them, etc., in the formative years in the life of these children.”
He also pointed out that the current educational system provides the ‘melting pot’ for all that to happen and it is good for a multicultural society like Ghana.
“We therefore urge members of both faiths to be tolerant since both the Holy Quran and the Holy Bible admonishes adherents to do same.”
He also urged Muslims in the month of Ramadan, to continue to pray for the peace, prosperity and development of this nation as we inch towards the end of Ramadan.
He said “We should endeavour to maintain the peace and tranquillity that we are enjoying in this country as Muslims, Christians and people of other faith. Most families in Ghana are made up of people of different faiths and yet live-in harmony.”
