Muslim youth have been asked to reject religious extremism and distance themselves from anything that runs counter to the true teachings of Islam.

Mr. Abdul Aziz Khalid, a Tutor at T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School in Kumasi, said they should conduct themselves well to become worthy ambassadors of the Islamic religion.

He was addressing the 34th annual rally of the Ashanti Regional Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Organization held in Dunkwa-on-Offin.

“Self-discipline, a panacea to national development” was the theme chosen for the two-day conference, which brought together more than 500 young Muslim men.

It provided the platform to discuss ways not only to promote spiritual growth but the progress of society.

Mr. Khalid highlighted the need for the Islamic faithful to accept to live in peace with everybody, pointing out that Islam stood for peace, love and patriotism.

He counseled the youth to take their education seriously, to make the right choices and desist from acts that could ruin their lives.

The Omanhene of Dunkwa, Nana Obeng Nuako III, urged them to refuse to be manipulated by trouble-makers to cause confusion in the run up to the general election.

They should cherish the peace and do everything to help protect it, he added.

He said it was important for all to uphold the law and should be ready to take responsibility for their actions.

Madam Emelia Ankomah, the Dunkwa Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), expressed concern about the growing indiscipline and immorality among the youth and said this needed to change.

She noted that without discipline and patriotism, it would be difficult for the nation to make any meaningful headway in its development effort.

She therefore called for all to work together to pull the youth back from the path of self-destruction.

Mr. Hanif Bipuah, Regional President of the Organization, urged the members to work towards making the society a better place for everybody.