‘Pray for Me’ — Ayariga Seeks Chief Imam’s Blessings as He Takes Charge of Religious Affairs Ministry
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has paid a courtesy call on the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, to seek Allah’s blessings, prayers and guidance as he assumes responsibility for his new ministerial portfolio.
Mr Ayariga said the visit, held on the first Friday since he officially assumed office, was also to express his appreciation to the National Chief Imam for the support he received during his parliamentary vetting and swearing-in.
He recalled that following his nomination, the National Chief Imam dispatched a delegation led by Sheikh Abdel Rahman El-Diarou and the Executive Secretary of his office to Parliament to support him during the vetting process.
He said the Chief Imam again sent the delegation to witness and support him during his swearing-in ceremony.
“I only assumed office, I believe, Tuesday afternoon, when we did the formal handing over at the Ministry. Today being the first Friday since I assumed office, I decided to come first and foremost to him to seek his blessings and prayers, and also to thank him for the support that he sent his delegation to give me during the vetting exercise and the swearing-in,” Mr Ayariga said.
According to him, the responsibility entrusted to him is enormous, requiring strong leadership, wisdom and divine guidance.
He noted that his ministry has responsibility for 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, their Chief Executives, the 16 regions and their Regional Ministers, as well as institutions of chieftaincy and the various religious communities across the country.
He said the ministry would also be expected to address critical national issues, including sanitation.
“This is an enormous responsibility, and it is a responsibility that can only be efficiently and successfully executed with the support of the prayers of my grandfather, the National Chief Imam,” Mr Ayariga said.
“I have come this morning to seek his blessings and his prayers so that I will be able to stand up to the challenge and perform the task entrusted to me by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama.”
Mr Ayariga also conveyed President Mahama’s appreciation to the National Chief Imam for his continued prayers, guidance and support for the government.
He said the President’s decision to appoint him to oversee local government, chieftaincy and religious affairs was also an indication of his appreciation of Islam and the National Chief Imam’s contribution to promoting peaceful coexistence among Ghana’s religious communities.
Mr Ayariga pledged to draw inspiration from the National Chief Imam’s example as he performs his duties, particularly in promoting interfaith harmony.
“I’ve always told everybody that there’s no one in this country that has stood for interfaith harmony better than the National Chief Imam. No one,” he said.
He said the National Chief Imam represented an important example of how religious leadership could promote peace, tolerance and understanding among people of different faiths and cultures.
“In Islam, we go by what the Quran teaches us, we go by what the Prophet has said in his Hadith, and we go by how the Prophet, peace be upon him, has lived his life,” he said.
Mr Ayariga said Muslims should not only follow the teachings of Islam but also emulate exemplary leaders in their conduct and relations with others.
“All Muslims must use our National Chief Imam as their example of how to be a good Muslim, because he is quintessentially the example of a good Muslim,” he said.
He expressed the hope that following the Chief Imam’s example would contribute to strengthening peace and religious harmony in Ghana.
“If we live by the example of our National Chief Imam, I believe that this country will live peacefully with all religions and cultures, and there will be harmony,” Mr Ayariga said.
He assured the National Chief Imam that his example and guidance would inform his approach to managing the religious affairs component of his ministry.
The National Chief Imam, speaking through an interpreter, prayed for Mr Ayariga, President Mahama and the entire government, asking Allah to grant them wisdom, good health, strength and the vision needed to lead the country towards development.
He stressed that peace and harmony were essential to achieving sustainable national development.
“May Allah grant you good health and the strength of body and mind. All these things we are talking about will not be achieved unless we are in a state of peace and harmony,” he said.
“That is why all the time in my prayers, I pray that may Allah make Ghana a place of security and peace.”
The National Chief Imam also extended his prayers to other countries facing conflict and instability, saying peace was essential for development everywhere.
He prayed for President Mahama to receive divine guidance and support in implementing policies and projects that would benefit all Ghanaians.
“We pray for the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama. May God grant him His support and help. Whatever ideas and projects that he decides to embark upon, may they be to the benefit of all citizens of the country,” he said.
He further prayed for ministers, government appointees and other officials to support the President and contribute to the success of his administration.
“May Allah grant them the ability to follow his footsteps and grant him the support to make his government successful,” the National Chief Imam said.
Source: Felix Nyaaba/ expressnewsghana.com
About Author
