Muslims in the Northern Region have been urged to uphold the tenets of the Islamic religion as they observe the holy month of Ramadan. During the month, Islamic scholars across the various sects in the region organized daily sermons to preach and give interpretation to scriptures of the holy Quran.
In recent years, the sermons mostly degenerate into a tag of war among some of the popular preachers and their followers in the Tamale metropolis in particular.
In view of this, the Northern Region Muslims Council organized the maiden Ramadan Summit to bring together all stakeholders to brainstorm on how to conduct themselves before, during and after the month of Ramadan in order to deepen the existing peace and tranquility in the region.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu, addressing the summit said, “you will all agree with me that Islam stands for peace, hence the urgent need for all Muslims especially Imams, as leaders, to avoid acts that are likely to disturb the peace and tranquility during and after Ramadan.”
“I will urge that our Imams should concentrate and channel their energies and their time on issues that would help promote peace and unity rather than to be seen as those fomenting troubles. The Summit I am told is meant to prevent the many insults and needless name callings that are sometimes characterize our preaching in the Holy Month of Ramadan (Tafseer) especially in this part of the country” he added.
The Minister emphasized peace is necessary ingredient needed in the area to accelerate development and admonished everybody to work towards reducing poverty, hunger and disease in the region.
Chairman of the occasion, Professor Seidu Alhassan, Vice Chancelor of the University for Development Studies in his remarks urged the scholars to be circumspect and measured with their language during the sermons.
He said the pendulum should always be maintained in the middle in order to create the desired impact for the sermons.
