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Veep ask Muslims to give Islam a new
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Accra, July 6, Ghanadot/GNA- Vice
President Alhaji Aliu Mahama at the weekend expressed regret
that the main areas of persistent social discord and armed
conflicts in the country occur at where Muslims are in the
majority.
Speaking at the launch of the translated version of the
Koran into Dagbani in Accra, he urged Muslims “to allow the
spirit of the Koran to guide their dealings in the area of
conflict management and peaceful co-existence.”
Quoting from the Koran, Vice President Mahama said: “After
all, Allah says…that we are all created from a single male
and female and made tribes and nations so that we may know
one another.
“Deep down, we are not different from each other. So the
virtuous teachings of the Holy Koran should influence us
positively in order to avoid communal violence because such
violence is a complete contradiction to the teachings of the
Koran.”
The 1,287-page book was the handiwork of Sheikh Muhammed
Baba Gbetobu, Director of the Zaintun Centre for Education
and Charitable Services.
Vice President Mahama said prayerful reading of the Koran
with faith in its principles ensured a fruitful life of
brotherliness, prosperity and peace, stressing; “Indeed, the
Holy Koran says the true servants of God are those who
restrain themselves when confronted by the uncultured.”
He lauded the initiative of Sheikh Gbetobu, explaining that
the translated Koran would challenge those who can read in
Dagbani to delve further into the Book since the content
will now become more understandable and intelligible in
their local language.
“Moreover, those who are yet to learn to read and write the
local dialect but have a desire to get closer to Allah now
have a great opportunity to resume learning.”
Sheikh Gbetobu said the book was the first translation of
the Koran into a local Ghanaian language.
Dr Nasser Adam, a Senior Lecturer at the University of
Ghana, Legon, said Islam urges Muslims to seek knowledge to
be able to comprehend the teachings of Prophet Muhammed, the
founder of Islam in order to comprehend the challenges of
the times.
Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, a Lawyer and political activist, who
chaired the function, noted that the book was a significant
achievement to literacy and theology.
GNA
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