The US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Christopher J. Lamora, last Friday called on the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu at his Fadama residence to renew the bond of friendship between their two offices as Muslims commemorate Eid Ul Adha tomorrow across the world.

“Your Eminence, Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, on behalf of the American people, I wish you and the entire Muslim community in Ghana a joyous Eid al-Adha,” he told his host.

The diplomat used the occasion of the visit to “renew our appreciation for the long-standing relationship our embassy has forged with your office over many years” adding, “It is a privilege for me to be here. I have spent many years serving in Africa but only recently arrived in this country. I am interested in exploring the diverse communities that make Ghana the remarkable model in West Africa that it has become.”

Ghana’s religious diversity, peace, harmony, and the immense talents and contributions of Muslims, he said, have been essential to the nation’s development. It would be recalled that a few months ago the cleric and the previous ambassador distributed food to underprivileged schoolchildren and their families to mark the end of Ramadan.

Religious institutions across Ghana, he said, “Live these principles every day, providing access to healthcare, establishing schools, community service and promoting interfaith dialogue. Efforts like these make up the foundation of Ghana’s stability and are integral to its long-term development.”

He added that the United States “is proud to partner with you and Ghana’s many other religious leaders to advance our shared goals of promoting peace, prosperity, and real development for families and communities.”

The diplomat presented the chief imam with rice, a ram and gallons of cooking oil towards tomorrow’s festivities.

In his response, the chief imam expressed gratitude to his guest for the gesture and recognised the position of the US on the issue of human rights across the world.

Sheikh Sharubutu acknowledged the freedom of religion as it pertains in the US, which Ghanaian Muslims in that country enjoy without hindrance.

He added that whenever he goes to the US, he feels at home observing how his compatriots live in peace in that country.

In another development, the chief imam paid tributes to the late Kofi Annan.

“On my behalf and leadership of the Muslim front and chiefs, I express my deep sympathy and condolence to the president and the world at large on the death of the former Secretary General of the UN,” he said.

The cleric recognised the role the deceased played in world peace and human rights.

He recalled how the man rose to the highest position in the UN and recognised how he put Ghana on the world map.

“In Ghana, we recognise his position as a statesman to whom recourse in national crisis is made,” he stated.