Opinions of Sunday, 13 February 2011

Columnist: Musah, Imam Ahmed

Nana Addo Must Come Again For Mispresenting “Jihad”

Good morning Sir,
kindly grant me some space in your respected outfit to help feature this
article in your well cherished publication.The article is as stated below:
NANA ADDO MUST COME AGAIN FOR MISPRESENTING “JIHAD” IN HIS PRESENTATION.
Following the article captioned Nana Addo calls for Akan Jihad in the enquirer
news paper, issue of 10th February, 2011, in which Nana Addo was reported to
have urged his party supporters to be courageous and if possible put their
bloods in line come 2012 general elections.
I have no problem with his words of encouragement to his supporters, but my
concern as well as that of other Muslim students is based on the fact that Nana
Addo made use of Jihad linking it to bloody and deadly affairs, which is
unfortunate of him because it negatively present JIHAD. I do not think it is
right for him to have adjective his “All-Die-Be-Die” statement with JIHAD as the
paper quoted him.
Let me clearly state that it would be very wrong for anyone to take Jihad as a
bloody exercise, an extremist character and even synonymous to terrorism as the
respected flag bearer of the NPP, Nana Addo is reported to have declared.
The Ghana Muslim Students’ Association (GMSA) has been formally registered and
for that matter hold a stake at National Youth Council (NYC), with its motto as
“Faith, Knowledge and Jihad” and hence anybody who is ignorant of what Jihad
is, would definitely define it just as Nana Addo is reported to have done, by
misrepresenting Jihad as a bloody affair.
I therefore would be very clear to put on record that Jihad simply means,
striving and contributing towards the upliftment of the course of God (ALLAH),
being it materially, intellectually and even physically not necessarily shedding
of blood as Nana Addo unfortunately did.
Let me cautiously add that, striving for the course of an individual especially
in matters that have no relation with God can never be termed “Jihad”, unless
when one would negatively want to, which may even attract the punishment and
wrath of the Almighty on the day of judgement.Allah says in the Holy Qur’an “and
do not kill yourselves, verily Allah is merciful with you”. He again says “and
do not engage yourselves in acts that would be disastrous to you, and be kind to
yourselves as Allah loves those who are kind”.
Haven explained what Jihad really means, I believe all well meaning individuals
would understand the reason for our sentiments and for that matter, agree with
us that Nana Addo comes again and even apologise to the Muslim Ummah for
misrepresenting JIHAD to help calm down situations and nerves before things get
off hand.
Allah bless and save the people of Ghana.

Imam Ahmed Musah.
GMSA Ashanti Regional Imam.
Ahmed4truth90@yahoo.com
0242846857 OR 0267571107.
Thank you.