Accra, Sept. 20, GNA - The Vice President, John Dramani Mahama, has urged Muslims to rededicate themselves to the study and teachings of the Holy Prophet and be guided by the spiritual values and moral precepts so that peace, social justice and equality will prevail.

He noted that since fasting during Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam, as well as a test of one's physical endurance and self discipline, it is the expectation that at the end of the fast believers would not be seen returning to their old ways.

Mr Mahama said this on the occasion of the Eid-ul Fitr prayers by the "Ahlussuna Wal Jama'a" in Accra on Sunday to mark the end of the Ramadan fasting period.

"Today we still have many challenges of underdevelopment in nation building and the improvement of the living standards of the people which Government currently seeks to address.

"Without peace we cannot provide the good roads, hospitals, good drinking water and well equipped schools we all need; and when there is strife, the infrastructure available is destroyed making life totally unbearable", he stated.

Mr Mahama said the conflict in Bawku, as well as occasional flash points of insecurity in other parts of the country, must be of much concern to all well-meaning Ghanaians since they divert Government's attention and resources from urgent national priorities to conflict management and resolution.

He said it is his prayer that this season's festivity of peace, goodwill and love would soften the hearts of the people of Bawku so that they would eschew violence and resort to dialogue in order to resolve whatever differences that exists between them.

The Vice President said, "We need to remind ourselves that Islam is essentially a religion of peace and brotherhood. We must therefore let it reflect in our lives and in our relations with others". He commended the Ahlussunna Wal Jama for complementing Government's efforts at national development by addressing illiteracy, ignorance and poverty among Muslim communities.

Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam, National Imam of Ahlussunna Wal Jama, in a sermon after the prayers, urged the followers not to use the end of Ramadan to revisit immoral activities that they eschewed during the period of fasting, and advised that they should not destroy all they toiled for during the period since the sustainability of rewards is based on the consistency of the good deeds.

He noted that returning to evil ways after repentance is a greater sin in the eyes of Allah.

Sheikh Imam noted that Allah has bestowed on believers peace and tranquillity, a dispensation that has defined the status of Ghana among other African countries making it a safe place haven for all. He stressed the need for Ghanaians to jealously practice tolerance and to uphold the spirit of nationalism rather than politicise issues. He announced that Ahlussunna Wal Jama'a has set up the Aswaj Waq Foundation to complement government's efforts at national development by seeking ways to address endemic illiteracy, ignorance and poverty that afflict Muslim communities across the country. 20 Sept. 09