Chief Imam visited church to foster interfaith unity, not to observe Easter – Spokesperson

The office of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu says the visit to the Christ the King Catholic Church on Easter Sunday was only a symbolic gesture of friendship to solidify the existing inter-religious peace that Ghana enjoys.

Although the visit to the church was generally well received, there were some misgivings with some expressing discomfort over the chief Imam’s perceived worship in a church.

It was also noted that Easter is one of the Christian beliefs not recognized in Islam.

But speaking to Citi News, the Spokesperson for the Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shuaib, clarified that his boss was not in the church to worship or observe Easter.

He said it would be wrong to say the Chief Imam “went to worship in the church.”“As an icon of interfaith dialogue, interfaith harmony, interfaith friendship, he decided to stretch a hand of friendship to a church. That is a symbolic gesture to send a certain strong message for the possibility of Muslims and Christians to live in peace on the foundation of mutual respect, mutual cooperation and mutual solidarity.”

The Chief Imam’s visit to Christ the King Catholic Church was also ahead of the celebration of his 100th birthday today [Tuesday].

Meanwhile, as part of the activities marking the centenary birthday celebration of the Chief Imam, a public lecture will be delivered later this morning by Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambers.

President Nana Akufo-Addo and his vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, are special guests for the lecture.

Sheikh Aremeyaw Shuaib explained that the lecture “will hinge on the subject of how peace and tolerance can serve as the foundation for national development and we shall be looking at the Sharabutu factor, in other words, the model of leadership of the Chief Imam having to contribute to peace and tolerance and harmony in our country.”

Source: Anas Seidu