The Member of Parliament for Karaga Constituency in the Northern Region, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, has commissioned Masjid Al-Noor (The Mosque of Light) in Tamale to promote worship and the study of the Islamic Religion and it’s ethics.
The facility is estimated to contain about 6,000 worshipers and an additional 4,000 people in the outer grounds.
In addition to its main prayer facilities for both men and women, the multipurpose state-of-the-art Mosque hosts the Sheikh Adam Issah Center for Islamic Research (SAICIR) which includes a library of Islamic Literature and an Islamic School dedicated to the intellectual and moral development of children and youth.
The former Finance Minister in his inaugural speech said the Center will soon open for admission of children from the ages 4 to 15; who will learn and memorize the Quran and study Islamic values and ethics.
He noted the Center will also accept Research Fellows who wish to dedicate their efforts to Islamic research, adding the library of the research center has very relevant Islamic literature to support research work and more will be provided in the course of time.
Dr Mohammed Amin Adam further highlighted the Noorul Hayat Foundation – is custodian of the Masjid (Mosque) with responsibility to sustain this vision, to support the mosque, provide scholarships and other community services to serve humanity.
“So today, we are commissioning a mosque, an educational Hub and a Foundation that bring together spirituality, Knowledge and Charitable Courses; because we need to build institutions that will produce leaders who are well rounded.
“Leaders who think. Leaders who stand firmly on values. Leaders who can support their communities and uplift the vulnerable ones. This is how we should position our children – not just for survival but for moral leadership in a rapidly changing world” Dr. Amin stated.
Religious harmony
In his remarks, the Karaga lawmaker seized the opportunity to address the growing intolerance among the various Islamic sects in the region, stressing the need for civility and respect for divergent views in their sermons to safeguard the prevailing peace and unity in the area.
“Before I conclude, I wish to commend our Imams and scholars in Tamale for their dedication to the propagation of Islam, particularly through radio and television.
“However, it is important that our methods of engagement preserve the peace and unity of our society. Intellectual disagreement is healthy and necessary, but it must be conducted with respect and civility. Even when correcting others, our language must reflect the dignity and discipline of our faith” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker has also set up the Noorul Hayat Foundation to support community development and humanitarian services in the area.
The vision is to become West Africa’s leading Islamic Centre of worship, knowledge, research, charity and community development, inspired by the values of Islam and dedicated to serving humanity.
The dignitaries that graced the occasion included former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, Islamic Scholar and Chief Imam of the National Mosque of Abuja, Nigeria, Professor Ibrahim Ahmad Maqari, among other political leaders.
