Muslim chiefs, Imams sensitised to peaceful polls a head of upcoming

A forum to educate the Council of Muslim Chiefs and Imams as well as the youth on peaceful elections on December 7 has been held at Koforidua zongo in the Eastern Region.

The  chiefs and  imams are to act as peace ambassadors and prevail on the youth not to do anything to mar the beauty of the elections by making it peaceful devoid of any disturbances.

The event which was on the theme: “Let's All Embrace Peace Before, During and After The December 7 Polls”, was attended by Muslim chiefs and imams and some young men and women from the zongo communities at Koforidua, Akwadum, Jumapo, Asokore and Suhyen.

It was organised by the Voice of the Zongo Communities in Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to the promotion of peace, particularly during elections.

Election not war

Addressing the gathering, the Chairman and Founder of the NGO, Dr Abdul Mannan Jawal Waru, asked the participants as well as Muslim parents to let their children know that election was not war but an event to select leaders to govern the country, as such they should not allow themselves to be used to foment trouble before, during and after the elections.

Dr Waru who debunked the assertion that the youth in the Zongos were violent said, Islam was a peaceful religion and asked the youth in the Zongos to prove critics wrong by making this year's elections peaceful.

Peace

The Spokesperson for the Council of Muslim Chiefs, Alhaji Mohammed Nurudeen Taal, who was excited about the peace campaign programme, indicated that the chiefs and Imams prayed and stood for peace before, during and after the December 7 polls.

"Let's respect each other’s tribe, if you are a Christian respect Muslims, if you are a Muslim respect Christians that will bring total peace and co-existence among ourselves.

"The word Islam is from the word Sallam which means peace and Sallam is God’s name in the Holy Quran. We stand for peace before, during and after the December polls,” he said.

The New Juaben North Municipal Police Commander at Koforidua Effiduase, DSP Young Acolatse, who took the participants through electoral offences ahead of the December 7 elections, said the police would deal with anyone who attempted to disrupt the election process regardless of his or her political affiliation.

DSP Acolatse advised Muslim youth to stay away from violence and negative acts that would dent the image of Islam.

The New Juaben South Municipal Civic Education Officer of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr Stephen Appiah, dwelt extensively on the COVID-19 safety protocols and urged eligible voters to observe such protocols to help protect themselves and others from being infected with the virus. —#Ghanavotes2020