President mahama has called on the muslem community in Ghana to use this month of Ramadan to intercede for the peace of the country.
He said the month of Ramadan has coincidentally come at the time of the election petition case at the supreme court and its important to pray for the country so that wherever judgement goes, the people of Ghana will accept it in good faith without chaos.
He said Ghana�s democracy and peace is of essence than all individual interest, hence the need to ensure peaceful co- existent amongst ourselves to maintain the dignity we have as a beacon of democracy in the face of the world.
He noted that his outfit will ensure that the Holy month of Ramadan is observed in a peaceful manner
President mahama made these remarks when the Muslim Caucus in Parliament paid a courtesy call on him at the Flagstaff House today to brief him on the progress report of the ZAKAT FUND that was instituted to support some brilliant but needy students in the muslim communities in Ghana.
Hon. Dr. Ahmed Alhassan, who spoke on behalf of the caucus said, about Gh.100.000 has been mobilized into the fund to give scholarships and trainings into various apprenticeships and carriers.
President Mahama commended the Muslim caucus for establishing the Muslim Zakat Fund, which he said would eventually help them to ameliorate the plight of the poor and vulnerable in the Muslim communities.
He explained that the Muslim communities had the historical antecedent of being among the poor in society.
President Mahama urged Muslims to spend a chunk of the Fund in sponsoring their students to attain educational laurels in the country.
The President advised the administrators of the Fund to initiate more educational programmes to generate financial support that would enable them to undertake meaningful development projects in subsequent years.
President Mahama promised to contribute periodically to the Fund to offer more support to Muslim communities and needy students.
On the pilgrimage to Mecca this year, the President said government had appointed a Coordinator who would be working alongside representatives of various Muslim organizations to ensure smooth travels.
He, however, cautioned the Hajj Committee to be mindful of the deadline for arrangements for the religious trip to avoid the ritual flight failures and unnecessary fatigue on the part of pilgrims.
Dr Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan, Head of the Caucus, commended President Mahama for his role in ensuring peaceful and smooth pilgrimage last year, and support government has offered the Muslim communities during fasting.
He particularly mentioned the construction of Hajj Villages in Accra and Tamale and the direct movement of some pilgrims from Tamale as phenomenal in the history of Muslim pilgrimage in the country.
Dr Alhassan, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mion Constituency in the Northern Region, said the initial membership of the Zakat Fund had being increased from 24 to 250, and hoped to rope in more Muslims.
The MP announced that the Fund had so far supported a Medical student in China with $4,000 to enable her to complete her course.
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