Obuasi, June 4, GNA- Alhaji Sheik Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam, has called for religious tolerance and respect for one another towards the sustenance of peace in the country. He said Ghanaians should not take for granted the peace currently being enjoyed, considering the conflicts in some neighbouring countries. Alhaji Sharubutu, who was speaking at a special fund-raising, organized by the Muslim community at Obuasi at the weekend towards the face-lifting of the Obuasi Central Mosque, urged Muslims in particular to respect other religious groups to promote unity among Ghanaians. The Obuasi Muslim community would need one billion cedis to rehabilitate the mosque that was built in 1949 by the defunct Ashanti Goldfields Company in recognition of the immense contributions of the community towards the development of the Obuasi Mine.

Alhaji Sharubutu appealed to members of religious bodies to worship God in truth and purity so that the nation would continue to receive divine blessing and urged Muslims to be obedient and abide by the principles of Islam.

Mr Joseph Kwadwo Boampong, Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive, advised Muslim youths to desist from hooliganism and rather embrace the National Youth Employment Programme, adding that not all the modules needed academic qualification.

He appealed to Muslims to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable them have access to good quality health care delivery.

Mr Edward Ennin, Member of Parliament (MP) for Obuasi, advised the Muslim youth not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to cause mayhem.

He said the Islam respected authority and wondered why some people used radio phone-in programmes to insult the leadership of the country. Alhaji Ibrahim Dansofo, Ashanti Regional Zongo Community Chief, advised Muslims to embrace formal education instead of giving all their attention to the Islamic school system, popularly known as 'Makalanta'. Alhaji Jibrim Ibrahim, the Obuasi Zongo Community Chief, commended the National Chief Imam for participating in the fund raising. The fund-raising yielded 72 million cedis with the Obuasi Municipal Assembly and the MP contributing 10 million cedis and Obuasi Chief Zongo and his family donating 10.7 million cedis.