Religious Affairs Minister supports Muslim community, seeks Chief Imam’s blessings

The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has donated bags of rice and sugar to the Muslim community in support of the observance of the Ramadan. 

The minister, who is in charge of religious affairs, commenced the donation at the Office of the Chief Imam, Sheikh Osam Nuhu Sharubutu. It is the minister’s first meeting with Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu since assuming office.

Other recipients of the items are the National Imam of Ahlu-Sunnah Wal-Jamaah, the Ameer of the Ahmadyya Muslim Mission and the Supreme Leader of the Shia Muslim Community. 

Blessings

Mr Ibrahim explained that the visit to the Chief Imam was to seek his blessings to be able to start work as the new minister of the ministry.

He said the Chief Imam’s manifestation of Islamic virtues such as selflessness, respectfulness and peaceful coexistence had made him work closely with successive governments in the Fourth Republic.

As a result, he said the Chief Imam had become part of the governance architecture shaping and guiding various governments to run smoothly.

“You cannot be a sector minister without running to this place to seek the Chief Imam’s blessings because in terms of institutional memory and search for peace, governance and religious coexistence, the Chief Imam has it all in his bosom,” he said. 

Task force

Mr Ibrahim, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Banda Constituency in the Bono Region, announced to the Chief Imam that President John Dramani Mahama had tasked him to work with the Chief Imam’s secretariat to establish a national task force for the annual Islamic thanksgiving and prayers.

Also, he said the President had begun the process to introduce an additional holiday to the existing Eid al-Fitr national holiday.

“The premium that his excellency places on the Islamic community is so high that every promise he made during the campaign is due to be delivered,” he said.

He assured the Chief Imam that his office would work closely with the secretariat to champion the interest of the Muslim community, adding, “We assure you that this is our home and when we are going astray, please do not hesitate to intervene”.

Gratitude

Sheikh Sharubutu expressed gratitude to the minister and his delegation for the gesture and visit.

He prayed for Allah’s guidance and strength for the minister to be able to discharge his duties diligently.

“May God help you to succeed with the stewardship you have been entrusted with,” he said.

The Chief Imam further prayed for all other nations to experience peace and harmony.

“In our diversity, we will live in peace and harmony. May God increase and enhance our peace and harmony and give you good health and long life,” he said.