The Supreme Council of Tijaniya Islamic Affairs Ghana has made a passionate appeal to the government of the Republic of Ghana to consider a public holiday for Muslims on the occasion of the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

This appeal was made at the annual Greater Accra Maulid celebration organized jointly by the Islamic Foundation for Peace and Development (IFPAD) and the Supreme Council for Tijaniya Islamic Affairs, Ghana under the tutelage of Dr Sheikh Yahaya Amin, last month at Shukura a suburb of Accra.

Multitudes of Muslims believe that declaring a public holiday to mark the birth of the Prophet was long overdue and a call in the right direction due to the number significant number of Muslims in the country who commemorate this day in remembrance of the exemplary life lived by the last of Allah’s prophets.

The appeal was made by Sheikh Ustaz Ahmed- Executive Secretary of the Supreme Council of Tijaniya Islamic Affairs Ghana together with Ibrahim Anyass Ahmed- Deputy Secretary of the Islamic Foundation for Peace and Development and Acting Secretary of the Greater Accra branch of the Council.

Among the dignitaries at the gathering were the Vice President of the Republic Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the minister for Inner Cities and Zango Development, Dr Lord Commey- Director of Operations at the presidency and a host of other political actors including former President John Dramani Mahama.

The Council is of the view that Maulid “continues to be celebrated across the globe with; some countries including Nigeria declaring it a national holiday. Even if the government is unable to grant a holiday then, it is appropriate for the government to make such a day a commemorative day” the executive secretary to the Supreme Council for Tijaniya Islamic Affairs noted.

It is palpable that Ghana continues to be a secular state with various ethnic groups living peacefully side by side. In line with her peaceful and religious tolerance nature, the 25th of December is observed and celebrated by all as a national holiday to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. Easter is also observed to mark the death or resurrection of Jesus Christ. Muslims in Ghana deserve equally such privilege and Muslim Clerics continue to advocate for the day of birth of the Prophet Mohammed to be declared a holiday or a commemorative day. The birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad is known as “Maulid” and it continues to be celebrated in countless Islamic countries across the globe.

The occasion is celebrated on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar, a day which is widely accepted as the birthday of the Holy Prophet. In Islam, it is believed that he is the final messenger and prophet of Allah.

The 53rd Greater Accra Maulid was well attended by individuals in Ghana and outside Ghana. Sheikh Mohammed Lamin, the Deputy Supreme Leader of the International Supreme Council of Tijaniya and Faida Islamic Affairs was also in attendance after visiting Ghana in the last 38 years. The imam of Kano state was also in attendance as well as other important dignitaries and Islamic clerics from Togo, Benin, Senegal, Burkina Faso, America, Europe and Asia.

Speaking to some media persons after the event, Ibrahim Anyass Ahmed- the Deputy Executive Secretary for the Islamic Foundation for Peace and Development and Master of Ceremony for the occasion stated: “we do hope the government makes this wish a reality for Muslims in Ghana”. Muslims in Ghana have been longing for it and it is only appropriate to make this passionate call on the Government to make this dream come true for Ghanaian Muslims. In the ensuing periods, we shall formally write to the seat of government to continue with our appeal” he noted.

Source: wadataonline/Muhammed Faisal Mustapha