According to him, that will help address challenges such as poverty and disease in their communities.

[contextly_sidebar id=”dZo2pjjo0otT8bxnrW5FwLaUEUHQRc66″]President Akufo-Addo made the comment in his speech at the national celebration of this year’s Eid-ul Adha at the Independence Square in Accra.

He said Muslim parents must take girl child education “seriously”.

“I cannot end my statement without urging the education of the Muslim girl or woman. We must take the education of the girl child seriously” he said, adding that “we shall be perpetuating, ignorance, poverty, and disease if the trainers of generations of Ghanaians remain uneducated.”

While urging the Muslim community to embrace the government’s Free Senior High School education program, Akufo-Addo explained that Ghanaians will be in a better place to practice their religion if educated.

“…The prophet Mohammed is reported to have said that ‘knowledge is the last property of the believer, let him or her find it wherever he or she will.’ I believe the Muslim should embrace this policy because it allows the fulfillment of prophetic admonishment.”

“We are in a better place to practice our religion if we are educated. The free Senior High School policy eliminates one of the major barriers to seeking secondary education; poverty. It is my fervent belief that it is an educated population that can accelerate the development of our country,” he said.

He also said the free SHS policy will help parents who hitherto could not afford school fees due to poverty to enroll their wards.

The Free SHS programme, scheduled to start in September 2017, will ensure that government absorbs the full cost of public secondary education.

Under the free SHS policy, beneficiaries will not have to pay admission fees, library fees, science centre fees, computer lab fees, examination fees and utility fees, according to the government.

The free SHS policy will also cover agricultural, vocational and technical institutions at the secondary school level.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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“…The prophet Mohammed is reported to have said that ‘knowledge is the last property of the believer, let him or her find it wherever he or she will.’ I believe the Muslim should embrace this policy because it allows the fulfillment of prophetic admonishment.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”Edbuwpg2ievgz9MTdJmjgQt1IfFjmEFm”]“It allows us to enlighten our communities and bring illumination to our society. It allows us to guarantee a future for our children and our country,” added Akufo-Addo when he addressed hundreds of Muslims at the Black Stars Square on Friday as part of activities marking the 2017 Eid ul-Adha festival.

He explained that Ghanaians will be in a better place to practice their religion if educated.

Akufo-Addo also said the free SHS policy will help parents who hitherto could not afford school fees due to poverty to enroll their wards.

“We are in a better place to practice our religion if we are educated. The free Senior High School policy eliminates one of the major barriers to seeking secondary education; poverty. It is my fervent belief that it is an educated population that can accelerate the development of our country.”

President Akufo-Addo also used the opportunity to encourage Muslim parents to enroll their daughters in school.

“I cannot end my statement without urging the education of the Muslim girl or woman. We must take the education of the girl child seriously” he said adding that “we shall be perpetuating, ignorance, poverty and disease if the trainers of generations of Ghanaians remain uneducated.”

The Free SHS programme, scheduled to start in September 2017, will ensure that government absorbs the full cost of public secondary education.

Under the free SHS policy, beneficiaries will not have to pay admission fees, library fees, science centre fees, computer lab fees, examination fees and utility fees, according to the government.

The free SHS policy will also cover agricultural, vocational and technical institutions at the secondary school level.

The Ministry of Education, in June 2017, also unveiled Ghanaian actor, Abraham Attah, as an ambassador for the Free SHS policy.

President Akufo-Addo on Thursday unveiled a logo for the free SHS programme.

The logo was unveiled by President Nana Akufo-Addo, during a ceremony at the Flagstaff House on Thursday.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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About four Ghanaians have so far died while in that country.

The Deputy Communications Director for the Hajj Board, Hajia Marian Cissey in an interview with Citi News said some of them died in their sleep while the rest suffered from some medical conditions.

[contextly_sidebar id=”hdTJn2SrYLMiA4F2LfOsjvVI3zJIRUHl”]Meanwhile, addressing the Muslims at the Black Stars Square on Friday as part of activities marking the 2017 Eid ul-Adha festival, President Akufo-Addo prayed for Allah’s protection for the pilgrims.

“Let us pray for those of our brothers, sisters, countrymen and women who have embarked on the Hajj especially our revered Chief Imam. We pray that the almighty sees them through the Hajj rites and bring them home safely,” he prayed.

On the organization of the Hajj trip, President Akufo-Addo said this year’s pilgrim “has been largely without problem” assuring that “my government is committed to maintaining the atmosphere that allows people of all religious persuasions to practice their religion without hindrance.”

About Eid ul-Adha

Muslims around the world are today [Friday] celebrating the Eid ul-Adha festival, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice.

It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command and also marks the end of Hajj, which is the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca.

Eid al-Adha is also called the “Sacrifice Feast” or “Bakr-Eid” is the second of two Muslim holidays celebrated worldwide each year, and considered the holier of the two.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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“I believe that inasmuch as religion is functional and helps us to cope with the uncertainties of life, so is it dysfunctional. Religion is a double edged sword that can also be invoked for destructive purposes.  Consequently I urge all Ghanaian Muslims to be weary of ideologues that may pervert a beautiful religion like Islam for selfish and destructive ends,” he added.

Speaking at the Eid ul Fitr celebration at the Independence square in Accra on Monday, the President further urged Muslims to strive to ensure peaceful co-existence.

The Eid celebration is a day set aside to mark the end of a 30-day fasting by Muslims, and also begins the month of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar.

President Akufo-Addo used the opportunity to explain to the Muslim community some of government’s initiatives aimed at empowering Muslims in the country.

He told them about the establishment of the Ministry of Zongos and Inner Cities Development, which he was hopeful will help ensure that Muslims also enjoyed the national cake.

“We have lived our manifesto commitment to appoint first a minister responsible for Zongo and Inner Cities Development. I encourage all zongo residents and persons of inner cities to participate in this consultative forum, and contribute ideas that will enable us fashion out a blue print that will be acceptable and practicable, which will inure to the benefit of all people in zongos and inner cities,” he added.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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According to him, all forms of negativesacts and social vices can be drastically reduced through prayers and change of altitude.

Mr. Rockson made these remarks when he paid a courtesy call on the Muslim community in Bolgatanga, and the Regional chief Iman Yussif Adam. He also donated some assorted items to support the end of the fasting.

Mr. Rockson urged Muslims in the region to pray against the incessant armed robbery and the emerging lynching of vulnerable persons accused of witchcraft.

“I am appealing to the Muslim community in the Upper East Region to pray for the nation and this region particularly against chieftaincy and land disputes. They(Muslims) should also pray for a change of heart and attitude of our youth to curb teenage pregnancies, drug abuse and all other forms of indiscipline in order to minimize the impact of these negative acts on our development agenda”.

Mr. Rockson impressed on Muslims to support government’s fight against the smuggling of improved seeds and fertilizers across neighboring countries to ensure government’s Planting for Food and Jobs programme succeeds.

He entreated  Muslims to embrace the NPP’s government pro-poor interventions such as the Free Senior High School policy, Planting for food and Jobs programme and the Zongo development fund.

He impressed on the youth to eschew all forms of acts that disturb the peace of the country and take their education seriously to be better persons in future.

The Regional chief Imam, Yussif Adam, expressed appreciation for the minister’s visit, adding that, the period of Ramadan has always been dedicated to praying for peace and development of the country.

He however proposed on behalf of the Muslim community in Bolgatanga to use their share  of the Zongo development fund to secure a graveyard for the burial of their departed ones.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The donation included food items such as rice, oil, canned fish and beverages.

[contextly_sidebar id=”r1xNYwPj4WGCKJQUmRA5A8seUgdslBtm”]Presenting the items to the community, the Corporate Communications Specialist of Karpowership, Miss Sandra Amarquaye, explained the initiative was part of Karpowership’s efforts to support the community in which it operates.

“Karpowership understands that Eid-Ul-Fitr festival is an important event on the Muslim calendar. We know it is a time to show love and goodwill towards one another, thus we are here to celebrate with you in the new season of love and brotherliness,” Miss Amarquaye added.

Receiving the items, the Imam of Tema New Town, Sheik Abdallah Umar Ibn Abubakar, thanked Karpowership and extolled them for exhibiting the tenets of love at such a time.

“We are grateful for this kind gesture and we believe many households will have reason to celebrate during this Ramadan,” he said.

Miss Amarquaye said Karpowership Ghana Company Limited, is a socially responsible company that is committed to giving back to the community.

Since it began operations in Ghana, the company has engaged in several projects in the Tema Manhean community, such as providing bursary for brilliant but needy students, and adopting and fully furnishing a computer laboratory.

As a strategic partner, Karpowership says it is committed to Ghana’s development and will continue providing all Ghanaians reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity.

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Source: Karpowership Ghana

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In response to this threat, the world’s Muslims can and should help intelligence and security communities ward off future attacks and eliminate the lifelines of this menace.

From its founding amid the ashes of Al Qaeda in Iraq, ISIS has dealt in deception as well as death. Despite its name, ISIS represents a perversion of Islam. The group’s dress, flags and slogans cannot hide their abhorrent betrayal of the spirit of this major world faith.

Denying this barbaric group a geographical base that emboldens them to claim statehood — an essential element of their propaganda to potential recruits — is a worthwhile goal that all Muslims should support. But the challenge isn’t only military.

ISIS, and other groups like it, recruits alienated Muslim youth by offering them a false sense of purpose and belonging in the service of a totalitarian ideology.

Countering that appeal will include religious, political, psycho-social and economic efforts. It will require that local communities and government institutions address structural issues such as discrimination and exclusion.

“Self-examination is an Islamic ethic. There are actions we can take, as Muslim parents, teachers, community leaders and imams, to help our youth protect themselves.”

International organizations must protect citizens against violent persecution of the kind we witnessed in Syria and assist with transitions to democratic governance. Western governments, too, have a responsibility to adopt a more ethical and consistent foreign policy.

Muslim citizens and organizations can and should be part of these broader efforts, but we also have a unique role and responsibility in this fight.

Across the world, Muslims need to strengthen the immune system of our communities, especially our youth, against violent extremism. We must ask: How did our communities become grounds for terrorist recruitment? Yes, external factors must be addressed, but we must also look within.

“Self-examination is an Islamic ethic. There are actions we can take, as Muslim parents, teachers, community leaders and imams, to help our youth protect themselves. We must defeat these murderous extremists in the battlefield of ideas.”

A common fallacy of violent extremist ideologues is to decontextualize the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet (peace be upon him) and misinterpret them to serve their pre-determined goals. These ideologues turn snapshots from his or his companions’ lives into instruments to justify a criminal act.

The antidote is a religious education program that teaches the tradition in a holistic and contextualized way. To be able to resist the deceits of radical ideologues, young Muslims must understand the spirit of their scripture and the overarching principles of their Prophet’s life. We need to teach our youth the full story of how the Prophet moved his society from savagery into ethical norms shared by Abrahamic faiths.

A holistic religious education should start with a commitment to the dignity of every person as a unique creation of God, regardless of faith. When God says “We have honored the children of Adam” (Quran, 17:70), all humanity is honored. The Quran describes taking the life of even one innocent person as a crime against all humanity (Quran, 5:32). Even in a legitimate defensive war, the Prophet’s teachings specifically prohibit violence against any noncombatants, especially women, children and clergy. The belief that one can enter paradise by killing others is a delusion.

Violent extremists also commit another major fallacy: transplanting into the 21st century religious verdicts from the Middle Ages, in which political rivalries were often confused with religious differences. Today, Muslims have the freedom to practice their religion in democratic, secular countries.

The values of participatory governments align with core Muslim ideals of social justice, the rule of law, collective decision-making and equality. Muslims can and do live as contributing citizens of democracies around the world.

Proactively, we must develop positive ways to satisfy the social needs of our youth. Youth groups should be encouraged to volunteer in humanitarian relief projects to help victims of disasters and violent conflicts. In teaching them to help others, we will give them the tools to empower themselves and feel that they are part of something meaningful. We also have a duty to help the youth engage in dialogue with members of other faiths to help nurture mutual understanding and respect. As Muslims, we are not just members of a faith community, but of the human family.

“Being part of the worldwide effort to help stop violent religious radicals from repeating the London and Manchester cruelties elsewhere is both a human and religious responsibility.”

Since the 1970s, the participants in the social movement Hizmet — the Turkish word for service — have founded more than 1,000 modern secular schools, free tutoring centers, colleges, hospitals and humanitarian relief organizations in more than 150 countries. By facilitating the involvement of young students and professionals as service providers, mentors, tutors and helpers, these institutions and their social networks foster a sense of identity, belonging, meaning and empowerment that constitute an antidote to the false promises of violent extremists.

Indeed, the best way to proactively protect our youth is to provide them with a positive counter-narrative. By offering opportunities for language learning and cultural exchanges, these kinds of institutions nurture a pluralistic outlook, critical thinking and empathy.

As part of their daily rituals, practising Muslims pray for God to keep them “on the straight path.” Today, the straight path means examining our understanding of the core values of our faith, how we embody those values in our daily lives and strengthening our youth’s resistance to influences that contradict those values.

Being part of the worldwide effort to help stop violent religious radicals from repeating the London and Manchester cruelties elsewhere is both a human and religious responsibility.

The writer, Fethullah Gülen, is an Islamic scholar, preacher and social advocate.
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Source:politico.eu

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The van mounted the pavement and struck a group of people just after midnight near Finsbury Park Mosque in Seven Sisters Road. A 48-year-old man has been arrested.

Prime Minister Theresa May said police were treating it “as a potential terrorist attack”.

The Muslim Council of Britain said a van intentionally ran over worshippers.

Counter terrorism officers are at the scene, the Metropolitan Police said.

Many of the victims are believed to have just left evening prayers at the Muslim Welfare House after breaking the Ramadan fast.

The MCB said it was a “violent manifestation of Islamophobia” and called for extra security around mosques.

The PM will chair an emergency meeting later.

‘Assault on values’

She described it as a “terrible incident”, adding: “All my thoughts are with those who have been injured, their loved ones and the emergency services on the scene.”

Extra police are being deployed to reassure communities, especially those observing Ramadan, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said.

He has also asked people to “remain calm and vigilant”.

He said: “We don’t yet know the full details, but this was clearly a deliberate attack on innocent Londoners, many of whom were finishing prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.

“While this appears to be an attack on a particular community, like the terrible attacks in Manchester, Westminster and London Bridge it is also an assault on all our shared values of tolerance, freedom and respect.”

“Our priority is to assess the level and nature of injuries and ensure those in the most need are treated first and taken to hospital.”

Witness Cynthia Vanzella said on Twitter: “Horrible to watch police officers doing cardiac massage at people on the floor, desperately trying to save them. I just hope they did.”

The MCB said its “prayers are with the victims.”

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Source: BBC

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The National Hajj Board has said a total of six flights will fly directly from the Northern Regional capital, Tamale, to Saudi Arabia.

[contextly_sidebar id=”lQ76auJRQ3ryDPEodb1LKIGxviIHv6TH”]The board has also started publishing the names of Muslims who will be participating in this year’s exercise to minimize the challenges associated with the annual event.

The Head of Communications for the Board, Alhaji A.R Alhassan Gomda, told Citi News his outfit is introducing some new measures to ensure an incident free hajj.

“We want prospective pilgrims to know that the money they have paid has landed in the account of the Hajj board. We have started publishing names of prospective pilgrims whose monies have been received by the Hajj Board through the special account for Hajj operations. We are going to fly 6 flights from Tamale.”

This will be the second time hajj pilgrims will be airlifted to Saudi Arabia directly from the Talame Airport, after the previous government under John Mahama upgraded the airport after completing an expansion project.

The annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia has over the years encountered many challenges including overcrowding at the Hajj village in Accra; a shelter for persons travelling to Mecca.

But according to Alhaji Gomda, that problem will not occur this year.

He said, “We have used the leverage of IT to ensure that people know, and they are getting alerts on their mobile phones that on this date your flight takes off, so that addresses the issue of overcrowding at the Hajj village.”

The 2017 Hajj pilgrimage will be the first major assignment of the new Hajj board sworn in by President Akufo-Addo.

The board is chaired by former Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central, Shiekh I.C Quaye.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post First batch of Hajj pilgrims to be airlifted on August 10 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The president was accompanied by the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije.

The ceremony commemorates Prophet Ibraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command and also marks the end of Hajj, which is the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca.

President John Mahama at the event expressed regret over the challenges associated with the organization of this year’s Hajj.

Speaking at the Eid-ul-Adha prayers; President Mahama announced measures government has put in place to prevent a recurrence of such challenges associated with Hajj.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

Photo credit: Presidency

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