Hohoe, June 5, GNA - Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament on Saturday stressed the need for Muslim communities to complement government efforts in consolidating the relative peace being enjoyed in the country.

He said as followers of a leader who recognized peace as an indispensable ingredient in nation building, it behoves on Muslims not to be distracted in their resolve to pursue and promote peaceful co-existence and good neighbourliness.

Alhaji Yakubu was delivering a paper on: "The Unique Personality of Imam Ayatollah Khomeini", founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to mark the 16th Anniversary Celebration of the Demise of the Supreme Leader at Hohoe in the Volta region.

"I am optimistic that you would not allow yourselves to be used by anybody in a way that would undermine our fledgling democratic process", he said.

Alhaji Yakubu challenged the believers in the Islamic faith to prove to "all and sundry" that the virtues inherent in Islam are openness, tolerance and peaceful co-existence, contrary to the erroneous perception that Islam was violent and intolerant of other religious doctrines.

"Let us however bear in mind that godliness is measurable only in terms of service to humanity", the Second Deputy Speaker said. Mr. Valiollah Mohammadi, Iranian Ambassador, said the main import of Imam Khomeini's struggle was freedom and independence for the masses. "Freedom and independence from the chains of despotic and colonial regimes towards self-reliance", he added.

Imam Khomeini as a social activist and politician never distorted his attention from ethical and spiritual issues, he said and advised the youth to be guided and guarded by these values and make the world a peaceful place for all.

"Imam Khomeini was first a leader as an ideologist, a leader as a commander of the revolution and a leader as an architect", which opened a new chapter in the history of Muslim world in general and Islamic Iran in particular, Mr Mohammadi, stressed.

Dr Majid Sadat, Cultural Counsellor of the Islamic Republic of Iran undoubtedly said the fundamental secret of Imam Khomeini's success and popularity was based on the axis of acquiring Alla's satisfaction and his resolve to remain piety.

Mr. Joseph Nayan, Deputy Volta Regional Minister, urged the Muslim community to embrace the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and invest in the education of their children especially the girl-child.

Alhaji Saeed Anass Dawuda, Director of Imam Khomeini Islamic Foundation in the Volta region requested the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to extend its Agricultural and Rural Development (ADR) projects, aimed at poverty reduction and self-sufficiency to the Hohoe District, adding that large tracts of land had already been secured for that purpose.

Togbega Gabusu VI, Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional area, entreated Islamic faithful to soberly reflect on the religious and civic virtues Imam Khomeini propagated and renew their commitment to the basic tenets enshrined in the Holy Quran. 05 June 05