National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu
Muslims across the world are expected to begin this year’s Ramadan fasting on May 15, 2018, the office of the National Chief Imam has announced.
The practice, which is one of the five pillars of Islam, is preceded by the sighting of the moon which is expected to be on May 14, 2018.
A press statement issued at the end of the Annual National Ramadan Conference held in Hohoe, Volta Region, stated that if the moon is not sighted on May 14 as envisaged, May 15 shall be the 30th of Sha’ban (the eight month on the Islamic calendar), automatically making May 16, 2018 the first day of this year’s Ramadan fasting.
It therefore, maintained that the National Chief Imam or his representative would announce the commencement of the Ramadan fasting on national television or any other television station in consultation with other stakeholders.
It condemned a statement made by the minister of environment, science and technology which suggested the use of text messages to invite Muslims to prayer instead of the usual call to prayer (Azan) by the use of horn speakers, to reduce noise pollution in the country
The release said, “Azan (call to prayer) is a universal affair and a form of Islamic worship which has no alternative and therefore absolutely unchangeable.”
It therefore, called on the minister to render an unqualified apology to all Muslims through the office of the National Chief Imam.
The statement said the conference also “vehemently rejects and condemns homosexuality in Ghana since the act contradicts the norms of African culture as a whole and Islamic religion in particular. Under no circumstance should Ghana fall prey to European or American laws and lifestyle.”
It advised the youth to abstain from abusing any type of drug such as tramadol, “which is dangerous to one’s life.”
BY Gibril Abdul Razak