Kumasi, June 15, GNA - Mr Mustapha Hamid, National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has admonished Muslim students to lift themselves from idleness and fight ignorance and illiteracy in their communities.

He expressed regret that Muslims were looked upon as promoters of violence not only in their communities but also outside, thereby succumbing to the machinations of politicians. This situation, he said, had given Muslims a bad name and image and, therefore, called for a change of behaviour to pave the way for the rapid development of their communities.

Mr Hamid was speaking on: "Peaceful Electioneering Campaign, The Role Of Muslims" at a day's seminar organised by the Ashanti Region Chapter of the Ghana Muslim Students Association (GMSA) in Kumasi on Sunday.

He stressed the need for them to strive to become politicians to be able to influence decisions and not just fight for people to be leaders, who would not help them to better their lives. The National Youth Organiser advised the students to lead lives worthy of emulation and also promote peace and unity in Muslim communities.

Mr Baba Jamal, Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), said as Muslims, they must always remember their God and render humanitarian services to people to better their lives. He urged them to be symbols of peace, security and unity so that non-Muslims would have the urge to be in their fold, adding that, they owed an obligation and responsibility for their neighbours in need. Mr Jamal reminded Muslims especially adults, that they lived in a society with diverse religious beliefs and that there was the need for them to understand other religions, their doctrines and operations. "We must understand behaviours and attitudes of others who are non-Muslims, since we live in a society with different religions. We must also accommodate them and respect each other to ensure peace and development", he said.

Mr Jamal called on the students to go all out to educate their people to learn more on the nation's democratic processes so that they would not commit any electoral offence.

Mr Hussein Ali Zeibon, Ashanti Regional President of GMSA, noted that peace was a necessary ingredient for accelerated socio-economic and political development of a country.

He pointed out that past governments worked to maintain peace and stability and there was the need for the present generation to sustain it at all cost. He called on members of the Association to be law-abiding and work hard to lift the image of Islam.