Asantehene Joins Muslims

THE ASANTEHENE, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, yesterday joined thousands of Muslims in Kumasi to mark the Eid-Ul-Fitr. Otumfuo was joined by other top dignitaries in the region including Eric Opoku, the Ashanti Regional Minister and Kojo Bonsu, the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, to mark the end of 30 days of fasting by Muslims, at the Kumasi Central Mosque. Muslims including Imams and Zongo chiefs used the grand occasion to pray to Allah to preserve the peace of the country even as the Supreme Court is about to give its verdict on the 2012 election petition. They thanked Allah for his blessing which had helped to catapult the country to its present status, praying to the Almighty to continue showing his mercies and grace on the country. The Asantehene�s mere presence at the mosque seemed to have spiced up the religious affair, as some of the excited Muslims were seen craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the King. In his remarks, Otumfuo said Prophet Mohammed was a man of peace, so Muslims should take inspiration from him by also committing to the peace and unity of the country, at all times. Ghana, he noted, had a legal system to ensure peace and justice, charging all parties in the election petition to seek redress at the appropriate quarters if they had any doubts about the court verdict. The King insisted that the legal system was in place to ensure that fairness and justice were administered to every citizen that goes to court with a case without fear or favour, so �if these systems are there, I don�t see the reason for us to fight or feel cheated.� The Asantehene charged Muslims to be inspired by the 30-day fasting they undertook by preaching peace and also engaging in acts that would inspire others to also stand for peace. He passionately appealed to Zongo youth not to allow themselves to be used by unpatriotic people to create chaos in the country, stressing that the country needed peace to develop. Otumfuo tasked Muslim parents to ensure that their children and wards were properly educated, saying that was the best legacy they could bequeath their children in this computer era. He said he was ready to even sell his last cloth to ensure that brilliant but needy Zongo youth were given the best of education, urging parents whose children were intelligent to come to his office for help. The Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Eric Opoku urged Muslims to seek the face of Allah to ensure that Ghana�s peace was protected before and after the Supreme Court verdict. He said the government could only push its developmental agenda for the country in a peaceful atmosphere, warning the Muslim youth against allowing themselves to be used to foment trouble. Hon. Opoku said the security agents were on top of the security situation in the country and were ready to firmly deal with any group that might try to breach the peace of the state. He entreated Ghanaians, especially the leadership of the various political parties and their mass followers, to accept the results of the Supreme Court so that the country could continue its democratic journey.