MUSLIMS TO EMULATE THE TEACHINGS OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD-THE ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERS IN ACHIEVING UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN ZONGO COMMUNITIES

A council of Imams, Chief's and people of Koforidua Zongo Community in the Eastern Region have held Mauli celebration under the auspices of Sheikh Alhaji Ibrahim Saliah Burunkumah, the grand Mufty of Eastern Region to commemorate the birth of the Holy prophet of Islam, Mohammed (Peace and Blessings Be upon Him).

The celebration was held on the theme “ Muslims to emulate the teachings of Prophet Muhammad-The role of stakeholders in achieving unity and development in our communities”.

Through this event, the office of the Eastern Regional Grand Mufty in connection with the Eastern Regional Zongo Chiefs and Imams have enstooled the Municipal Chief Executive for Abuakwa North Municipal Assembly, Alhaji Umar Babs Bodinga as 'BABA ADINI' which means the Eastern Regional Islamic Development Ambassador I for his exemplary and dedication service for championing development towards the upliftment of Koforidua Zongo Community, the Eastern Region and Ghana at large.

Meanwhile Sheikh Alhaji Abdul-Wadud Haruna - Zeenuel Harkati Tijaniyah from Kumasi, presented Certificate of recognition of the title BABA ADINI.

Maulid Nabi is celebrated annually by a section of the Muslim community to commemorate the birth of the Holy prophet of Islam, Mohammed (Peace and Blessings Be upon Him).

The event, which started on Friday night through to the early hours of Saturday, was interspersed with Quranic recitations, lectures on the life history of the Holy prophet Mohammed (Peace and blessings Be Upon Him), thanksgiving and praises to Allah for his mercies towards humankind.

The congregation also prayed for the leadership of the country and asked for Allah’s continuous blessings of peace and prosperity on the nation Ghana.

It was also an occasion for the community to share in a communal meal, specially prepared for the occasion, reflecting the Islamic values of sharing and caring for one another in the spirit of camaraderie.

The Maulid was graced by many dignitaries, such as Sheikh Alhaji Abdul-Wadud Haruna - Zeenuel Harkati Tijaniyah from Kumasi, the president of Tijaniyya Muslim Movement of Ghana, Sheikh Haruna from Belgium, Alhaji Yusif Sulemana Amudani- Eastern Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Mohammedu Hashiru Kurumi V, Eastern Regional Zongo Chief, Alhaji Mohammedu Kabiru Kadiri - Sarikin Hausawa Accra, Alhaji Imurana Bila Ango -Zongo Chief Kwashiman, Ridwan Muntari Abass - Zongo Chief of Fadama, Alhaji Ali Kairi - National Sadauna and among other.

Also in attendance were the Koforidua Council of Zongo Chiefs, the Ulama, Imams, Muslim youth groups, and many other wishers.

Speaking to the press in an interview, the Municipal Chief Executive for Abuakwa North, Alhaji Umar Babs Bodinga expressed his profound gratitude to the entire leadership of the Eastern Regional Grand Mufty for the honor by kind position imposed on him.

He said, it's a big achievement for the Eastern Regional Chief Imams and Zongo Chiefs for having faith in him and enstooled him as the Eastern Regional Islamic Development Ambassador I.

According to Alhaji Umar Bodinga, the new position received is not bigger than him and moreover it won't destruct his work as MCE, saying that, he will do his possible best to lobby and championing developmental projects for the Zongo communities to change the face of narratives and standards of living, since the Zongos contributes greatly to the economic growth of the country.

The Islamic Development Ambassador, emphatically reiterated his commitment to continue to serve and work hand in hand with both of the Chief Imams and Zongo Chiefs to help transform and give the various Zongo communities face lift within the Region and the country at large.

Given a lectures on the life history of the Holy prophet Mohammed (Peace and blessings Be Upon Him), Sheikh Haruna from Belgium, appealed to the Zongo communities across the country to shun away from abusive words that causes negative influences on their children and the growth of Zongo communities.

He was of the firm belief that, the holy prophet Mohammed sees education as the bedrock upon which every nation’s growth and development is secured, however every Muslim community must practice the way or footsteps of the Holy prophet Mohammed so that the young ones and generations yet unborn will emulate.

The Eastern Regional Zongo chief, Alhaji Mohammedu Hashiru Kurumi V addressing the enthusiastic durbar of Maulid celebration, highlighted the importance of education to the socio-economic development of the country, stressing that education is an empowering right and powerful tool which economically and socially marginalized individuals could utilized to lift themselves out of poverty and participate fully in society.

According to him, President Akufo-Addo’s Government is focused on its vision of ensuring that quality education becomes accessible to all our children, irrespective of their social or financial circumstances.

He charged parents to see education as the driving tool for development of the nation since the next phase of the modern world will heavily rely on educated people, however the young ones academically should not be shaken and further advised the students to make education and learning their topmost priority, hence the sky is limit.

The Eastern Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Yusif Sulemana Amudani, who spoke to media in an interview after a prayer, praised the Muslim community for their steadfastness in the worship of Allah and urged them to stand firm in the development of their communities.

He expressed appreciation for the attendance, especially to those who travelled from neighbouring countries to participate in the event.

The chief Imam commended Alhaji Bodinga for his kind position adding that, the title BABA ADINI, given to him is long overdue because Alhaji Umar Bodinga has championed so many developments in Koforidua Zongo Community and some Zongos across the country even before calling into the office of the MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE.

He is however of the firm belief that, he will continue supporting the various Zongo communities thereby, help resolve the dispute in some of the Zongo communities hence bring peace and unity in those catchment areas.

The Imam of East Legon, Mohammed Moukhtar Tijani, explained to media in an interview said,the exercise of Maulid and its benefits which society must appreciate and emulate to help and also encourage the youth in the Zongo communities to change the narrative on Islamic religion in the 21st century.

story by: Nana Kwasi Asare