USE DIALOGUE TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES (PAGE 40)

THE Asunafo North District Chief Executive (DCE), Alhaji Ishak Abubakar Bonsu, has added his voice to the appeal to the various factions in the Bawku conflict to embrace peace and use dialogue to resolve their differences.
According to him, the Bawku municipality and its environs were predominantly a Muslim community where ‘brothers are killing brothers’ at the instigation of personalities craving for power and wealth.
The DCE, therefore, implored his fellow Muslim brothers involved in the conflicts to rethink their stand and let the Islamic faith that propagates the universal phenomenon of peace, influence their thought and actions for peace to prevail in the area.
Alhaji Bonsu made the appeal at the ninth annual symposium of the Sunyani Polytechnic (S-Poly) Chapter of the Ghana Muslim Students Association (GMSA) in Sunyani.
It was on the theme: “Crisis in Islam, the Role of the Muslim Youth.” Muslim students from other second cycle and tertiary educational institutions in the Sunyani municipality attended the ceremony.
Alhaji Bonsu condemned the attitude of some Muslim youth, who allow themselves to be used by politicians and other opinion leaders to carry out negative activities.
He therefore urged members of the association to educate their less privileged brothers and sisters at home to remain resolute and live peaceful lives, since no matter how grave their differences, they should use dialogue and consensus building to resolve them.
Alhaji Bonsu expressed concern about the perennial crisis associated with the organisation of the holy pilgrimage to Mecca.
He was not happy the way the performance of a religious obligation in the lives of Muslims had been turned into a money-making venture pursued by organisers of the pilgrimage without taking into consideration the untold hardships they bring to their fellow Muslims.
An official of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) in Sunyani, Mr Ibrahim Ishaku, who also spoke on the topic: “Islam and Politics, the Way Forward,” said religion could not be separated from politics.
He therefore urged Muslim students, who want to enter mainstream politics to acquire more knowledge through formal education and also develop the art of public speaking and organisational ability.
Mr Ishaku stressed that since Muslims were important stakeholders in the politics of the country, they must enter into politics not only to protect their interests, but also for the socio-economic development of the country.
The President of the S-Poly Chapter of the GMSA, Mr Oteng-Mensah Salia, said the aim of the association, was to promote the spirit of unity, brotherliness and understanding among all Muslims for the good of humanity.
He called for the enforcement of the Education Act (1961), Act 87, section 22, which encourages freedom of worship so as to free Muslim students from the problems they usually face in relation to religious practices in most non-Islamic institutions.
Mr Salia also stressed the need for Muslim students, especially ladies in the various basic and second cycle schools, to be allowed to put on the veil to school and if possible to dress as Muslims on campus.
He further appealed to all politicians to conduct their campaigns with decorum in order to sustain the prevailing peace and stability in the country.