Muslim Students Assoc. Decries Exams On Holiday

The National Executive board of the Ghana Muslim Students Association says it is shocked and dismayed that tertiary institutions in the country would be writing end of semester examinations on November 27, a statutory holiday set aside for the celebration of the Islamic festival of Id-Adha. A statement by the board, signed by Umar Ahmed, National President of the Association said the decision amounts to �a total infringement on the right of the Muslim students and a violation of the 1992 constitution. �We know that since government by an executive instrument had declared the day as a statutory public holiday, it must be observed as such. �We therefore wish to request that all examinations on Friday 27th November 2009 should be rescheduled to allow Muslim students to celebrate this year�s Id-Adha,� the statement said. The statement also suggested that school authorities need to include Muslim leaders in the planning of future academic calendar�s so as to avoid such inconveniences. �We also wish to inform all public and private tertiary student leadership such as the S.R.C�s to consider the welfare of ALL students including Muslims students,� the statement urged and extended wishes of happy celebrations to all Ghanaians, especially Muslims students.