Accra, July 2, GNA - Sheikh Osumanu Nuhu Sharabutu, National chief Imam, celebrated his 87th birthday on Thursday with a call on the National Muslim Council to set up Counselling Sections in all the regions to guide the youth to be submissive to their elders in order to attain greater heights in life.

Alhaji Abdul Latif, Personal Assistant to the Chief Imam, who made the call on behalf of the latter in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said due to gradual breakdown of the Islamic cultural norms the youths were beginning to put up disrespectful and irresponsible behaviours some of which ended up in the destruction of property.

He noted that the Ghanaian society was confronted with challenges of crime, lawlessness and indiscipline, adding that it would take the concerted effort of all stakeholders, especially Muslim parents, to mount a crusade against immorality and indiscipline through counselling their children in the Mosques.

Alhaji Latif also expressed worry about how the Muslim youths were copying foreign cultures shown on television and condemned parents who did not reprimand their children when they appeared in foreign dresses which exposed their bodies.

He urged Muslim parents to take advantage of the free basic education in the country now to ensure that their children are sent to school, adding that it was the only way they could realise their aspirations. "If Muslims need to advance and progress in all spheres of life, the only answer lies in education."

Mr Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central, said education had improved tremendously among the Muslim community in the area for the past 10 years because of the government's policy of free basic education.

He urged the Muslim youth not to involve themselves in violence but rather take education seriously, adding that when it comes to crime they should not allow any politician to use them. Miss Jane Amerley Oku, Assemblywoman for the Sabon-Zongo Electoral Area, advised the community to go for the H1N1 vaccination at the Mamprobi and Korle-Bu Polyclinics.