By sheer coincidence, Muslims and their Christian counterparts commenced their month-long period of fasting on Wednesday.
Shouldn’t this underscore the importance of interfaith harmony in society?
Although the rules vary between the two Abrahamic faiths’ month-long period of fasting, both entail prayers, reflection and almsgiving or charity.
With both religions monotheistic and descending from Abraham, the commonness of their beliefs should be relished and used as basis for the nurturing of interfaith harmony.
Muslims, we are told, have been enjoined to follow the footsteps of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Mohammed, May the Peace of God be upon him and his household, who maintained good neighbourliness with non-Muslims.
Does it not smack of evilness when so-called educated persons under the cloak of mischievous politics seek to create schism between members of the two great faiths in the world?
We recall how in the heady days of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) campaign, the obnoxious subject of religious politics was smuggled in by those who sought to benefit from it regardless of its negative fallouts on society.
Thankfully, it failed to gain the traction the originators sought to achieve because Ghanaians have outgrown that backward mindset.
Ghana, although a secular state, still upholds the tenets of faith of her religious people in their doings. The interfaith harmony prevailing in the country is one which should be protected against those who seek to destroy it for their parochial ends.
Ghana remains a pinnacle for interfaith harmony, and others battling with scathing religious divisions in their jurisdictions want to know how we achieved this enviable feat.
It is irresponsible on their part who want to destroy this envious attribute of ours and would go every end to nurture the seed of discord they have planted, but whose leaves have all but withered.
As members of the two faiths continue on this journey of fasting, let them do so with the fear of God for whose sake they are denying themselves food and bodily pleasures.
Fasting, besides the spiritual blessing that come with it, enables us to appreciate what foodlessness entails and show kindness to the have-nots in society.
It is our wish and prayers that the prevailing interfaith harmony between Muslims and Christians will flourish and remain impervious to the machinations of bad politicians.
To our Muslim brothers, sisters and friends, here is to wish them the blessings of this holy month.
While we do same for those observing Lent, we ask that both Muslims and Christians rededicate themselves to work for God and country.
This is the time to think about the nation’s interests. Those who are entrusted with the management of the affairs of the country should do so with a sense of the fear of God.
Corruption, avarice, disrespect for our fellow human beings because of their unfortunate state in life cannot be conducts which are in consonance with the dictates of God.
We as citizens too must constantly be mindful about our responsibilities and avoid things which retard progress.
We wish those on the spiritual journey of fasting the bountiful blessings that go with it.