Wait for certified results - Chief Imam

Tuesday, December 9, 2008 (Back Page Lead)

THE National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharabutu, has advised Ghanaians to wait for the presidential and parliamentary results to be certified by the Electoral Commission (EC) before jubilating.
He further advised political parties and their followers to patiently wait for the results to be collated and certified by the EC in order to avoid any form of chaos in the country.
The Chief Imam in his Eid-ul-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) message to Muslims and Ghanaians, stated that Ghana was being closely watched by the international community and it was important for Ghanaians to ensure that Ghana maintained her enviable position as a country of peace.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Chief Imam stated that it was God who chooses leaders and therefore Ghanaians must support those who would emerge as winners of the parliamentary and presidential elections.
Speaking through a translator, the Chief Imam said it was also important for Ghanaians to be tactful and tolerant during the counting of the ballots through to the declaration of the winner of the presidential elections by the EC.
He said Ghana was larger than any political party hence it was important for Ghanaians to preserve the prevailing peace in the country.
The Chief Imam further pleaded with Muslims, Christians, traditional believers and other religious faiths to eschew all forms of hostility and live in peaceful co-existence.
According to him, the existence of peace facilitates development, adding that development would in turn improve the living standards of all.
Sheikh Sharabutu said although these groups were of different faiths, they were God's creation who emerged from Adam and Eve.
Earlier, hundreds of Muslims thronged the Independence Square to pray for peace and prosperity on the occasion of this year's Eid-ul-Adha celebrations.
They were led in prayer by the Chief Imam, who said prayers for peace, tolerance and prosperity to prevail in the country.
Eid-ul-Adha, the festival of sacrifice celebrated by Muslims all over the world, is the culmination of the Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam.