The National Chief Imam, Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has called for calm following the controversies that have brewed up in the country, as a result of Wesley Girls High School authorities’ refusal to allow a Muslim student observe the Ramadan fast.
Many have described the action of the school authorities as being religiously intolerant, but the Methodist Church Ghana which is the founder has backed the school in its decision, despite Ghana Education Service’s directive to allow students who wish to hold the fast do so.
Recent ecumenical bodies that have expressed their support for the school are the Christian Council of Ghana and Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference who also argued that the decision is in the interest of the students and the school’s code of conduct is that which has guided the school for two centuries and contributed to their discipline and high academic standards.
However, the spokesperson of the Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, on Starr FM noted that leadership of the factions involved, that is, the Muslim and Christian sects are working towards resolving the impasse for which reason all should keep calm.
“We are seeking to mend the harmony that has been breached. I will plead with Muslims to exercise restraint just as the Chief Imam has said. I will call on Christians to maintain their calm, let’s leave it for leaders and see how we can resolve this issue,” Sheihk said.
That said, the Muslim cleric is not only addressing the problem at the religious level. Sheikh Aremeyaw indicated earlier on another media platform, Joy News, that they are also working towards engaging school authorities on similar occurrences across the country.
He said: “The office of the Chief Imam has started recording the names of schools where the abuse of Muslim students occur, in order to go into talks with their school heads to find an amicable solution” to the disturbing issues.
