Former President John Dramani Mahama last Saturday told Ghanaians to keep hope alive and await a leadership that would bring the country back on her feet.
It was an opportunity for him to show how much he loves Muslims following the recent election of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), having earlier said that would never happen.
The Maulid An-Nabi or the birthday celebration of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) falls on the 3rd month of the Islamic calendar and observed by Muslims in many parts of the world.
He was one of the guests at the Maulid organised by Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Vanderpuije, Bologun and Baba Adini of Ghana and wife, Alhaja Chief Mrs. Risikatu Vanderpuije, the Iyalode of Ghana and Yeye Oba of FCT Abuja, Nigeria.
The former President was also accompanied by the former mayor of Accra, Dr. Oko Vanderpuye, Alhaji Said Sinare, a former ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, constituency executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Ayawaso North and Central constituencies, some parliamentary candidates as well as members of the Zongo caucus of the party.
The celebration, which has for several years been hosted by the Vanderpuije family in memory of the late Alhaja Khadija Ode Ali, also brought together Islamic clerics and scholars from various parts of West Africa.
Present at the ceremony was the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, Greater Accra Regional Yoruba Imam, Sheikh Mustapha Dikko, Imam of the Central Mosque of Abuja, Nigeria, Prof. Sheikh Ibrahim Ahmed Makari, President of Harakatu Tijjaniya of Ghana, Sheikh Abdul Wadud Cisse, President of the Council of Zango Chiefs, Sheikh Abdul Kadir Tahir and other notable individuals from the Islamic community.
As part of activities to mark the day, students of Zawiya of late Alhaja Khadija Ode Ali and students of Shaributu Sabila Salam Islamic Institute “Makaranta” school also offered prayers and thanksgiving, and recited various Qur’anic verses in honour of the prophet, while different kinds of food were also served to the gathering by the Iyalode of Ghana, Alhaja Chief Mrs. Risikatu Vanderpuije as part of her thanksgiving gesture.
Speaking at the event, former President John Mahama said the values of Prophet Mohammed such as love, selflessness, respect and care among others continue to remain important for humanity and, therefore, entreated Ghanaians particularly Muslims, to emulate the life of the prophet irrespective of their religious and ethnic affiliations.
Sheikh Mouhamadou Ibn Sheikh Hassan Cisse of Kaolaq, Senegal, admonished Muslims to love one another as required of them by Prophet Mohammed.
Alhaja Chief Mrs. Risikatu Vanderpuije was presented with a citation in honour of her contribution towards the empowerment of women, support to the less privileged in the Zongo communities and contribution in the areas of education, health, sports among others.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah