Wa, Sept. 11, GNA - The Upper West Regional Minister, Alhaji Issaku Saliah, has called on Islamic scholars to uphold moral values and preserve the institutions of learning bequeathed to them by their pious deceased colleagues.

He said the eminent colleagues were role models in the development of society through their humility, contribution to moderation, incorruptibility, knowledge and truthfulness in dealing with their fellow humans, and they spearheaded the establishment of institutions like schools that had become centres of excellence.

Alhaji Saliah mentioned the Falahia cluster of schools in Wa as such institutions set up by Islamic scholars that had produced both Islamic and secular education scholars, who were now serving in various sectors of the country's economy.

He made these remarks when he joined Muslims from all parts of the country at Wa on Sunday to mourn and pray for the late Alhaji Iddrisu Baganba, a renowned Islamic Scholar in the Region during his seventh day funeral rites.

The late Islamic scholar who died at Wa last Sunday, was one of those who spearheaded the establishment of the English/Arabic school system in the Region and served as the chairman of the local council of these schools until his demise at the age of 89.

He was the last of the early generation of Islamic scholars in the Region and left behind four wives, 12 grand children and 31 great grand children.

Naa Seidu Braimah, a member of the Council of state, Mr. Duogu Yakubu, Wa Municipal Chief Executive, Alhaji Malik Issahaku, Upper West regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress and Alhaji Abubakari

Abdul-Rahaman, Upper West regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party also attended the funeral.

Alhaji Saliah called on Muslims in the Region to support Islamic schools to promote education in the area.

Mr. Rashid Mahmoud who spoke on behalf of the Yeri Naa, chief of Muslims, in Wa, said that instead of grieving over the loss of the eminent scholar, Muslims should rather take a sober reflection of their lives and learn useful lessons from his life.