The Muslim caucus in Parliament on Friday held its seventh annual “Night of Power” in Accra to climax the Ramadan which was characterised by prayers to Almighty Allah for his blessings and mercies on the country.
The event, which was graced by the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye, was held under the theme “If you are grateful, I shall add more unto you” (Qur’an 14:7).
The “Night of Power” is a blessed night that occurs during the last 10 days of Ramadan, in which Allah started revealing the Holy Qur’an to mankind through Prophet Mohammed.
Sheikh Shuaib Abubakar who represented the Chief Imam, led the Muslims in prayer for the leadership of the country, giving thanks to God for his continuous blessings to the nation.
The occasion was also used to remind the Muslim community about their obligation to the Zakat and Sadaqat Trust into which Muslims are expected to pay two-and-a-half per cent of their annual earnings, as an obligation, for the upkeep of the needy.
Since its inception in 2010, the fund has mobilised from subscribers, GH¢ 512, 900.71 out of which GH¢ 202, 074.15 has been disbursed to cater for health, education and entrepreneurial skills acquisition of the needy.
Hajia Azara Abubakari-Haroun, a member of the board of trustees who gave account of the fund, urged Muslims to subscribe to the fund as an obligation on them.
Prof. Oquaye who spoke on the need for tolerance, respect for rule of law and respect for religious preference, said that, “Ghana belongs to all of us irrespective of our differences.”
He expressed the need for religious leaders to be concerned about the behaviours of some youth who were being used to cause troubles and urged them to eschew that tendency.
Prof. Oquaye urged Muslims to embrace the Ministry of Inner City and Zongo Development “and help make the visionary step a living reality.”
Delivering a sermon on the theme, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, an educationist and Islamic scholar, said Ghanaians must be grateful to God for how far Ghana has come and continue to pray for his continuous blessing for the county.
He said destruction of the environment through illegal mining, amassing public funds, mob justice were acts of ungratefulness to God.
The Member of Parliament for Offinso South and chairman of the Muslim Caucus in Parliament, Ben Abdallah Banda, expressed the need to be grateful to God for smooth transition of power.
In his remarks, Justice Saeed Kwaku Gyan said corruption and illegal mining popularly referred to “galamsey” undermined the economy and moral fabric of society.
By Salifu Abdul-Rahaman
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