Hundred of Muslims from far and near gathered at the Fadama Astro Turf in Accra on Saturday to partake in this year’s Annual National Maulid with a call on the citizenry to support President John Dramani Mahama in the fight against illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The event is celebrated annually by the Muslim community in Ghana to celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet of Mohammed and reflect on his teachings.
The event which was organised under the auspices of the Office of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, was attended by various dignitaries, including government officials, politicians, current and former ministers of state, Chief Imams from all the 16 regions of the country, and imams from outside the country.
Among the dignitaries were the Minister of Education and Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, who represented President Mahama, MP for Asutifi South, Mr Collins Dauda, Mr Alhaji Seidu Haruna, and Mr Ben Abdallah Bandah, former Hajj Board Chairman, who represented the former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
Others were Sheikh Imam Abubakar Umar Sanda Alkasnawiyi, Imam Sulley Jah Central Mosque, Khalifa Mohammed Sanni Kanfiriga, Kano, and Sheikh Imam Ahmed Makari, Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja.
The event, which began at 10:00 p.m., and ended at 5:30 a.m., was held on the theme, “Compassion and Justice: Pillars of National Development and Global Order.”
Addressing the gathering on behalf of President Mahama, Mr Iddrisu said the President was aware of the consequences of illegal small-scale mining and its impact on the livelihood of Ghanaians.
According to him, President Mahama was committed to putting in place the needed reforms to help tackle the issue of illegal small-scale mining in the country.
Mr Iddrisu said that it was important for Ghanaians to be compassionate and just in the fight against illegal small-scale mining, and, therefore, urged them to rally their support to President Mahama and the government.
He further expressed President Mahama’s gratitude to Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu for his support during the 2024 general elections.
Mr Iddrisu also pledged the commitment of the government to ensure that deserving students from the Muslim community benefit from the government’s scholarship scheme.
He supported the event with an amount of GH¢100,000.
Mr Bandah, on behalf of Dr Bawumia, thanked Sheikh Sharubutu for annually organising the event and also expressed the gratitude of the former Vice President to the National Chief Imam for his support during the 2024 general election.
He, on behalf of the former Vice President, wished President Mahama success in his four-year term and supported the event with an amount of GH¢20,000.
Speaking on the theme of the event, Sheikh Mohammed Awwal Shuaib, Takoradi Chief Imam, said, “As we strive for development, we must prioritise promoting peace in society, ensuring that all individuals receive justice through legal reforms.”
The Chairperson of the event, Dr Ahmed Vanderpuye, in his remark, urged the Muslim community to emulate the life and legacies of Prophet Mohammed.
Prayers were said by Sheikh Sharubutu for President Mahama, Dr Bawumia, the government, dignitaries present at the event, the Muslim community, and the country as a whole.
The event featured Quran recitals by students from the Sheikh Osman Institute and praise of eulogies of the Prophet Mohammed.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY
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