The National Chief Imam donated towards the building of the National Cathedral project out of his elderly wisdom, ethics, and out of respect offered him by the leadership of the Christian Community, Spokesperson of the National Chief Imam Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu has said.
“This is the Chief Imam’s elderly wisdom; he is a mystic, he is wise person, he reflects so much, he has certain beliefs, he has ethics, and so out of the respect that they gave him, he reflected on his beliefs on what the Quran says that stretch a hand to the other side as basic to deepen relationships. So that in future you can live in peace”. Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu said this in a studio discussion on Metro TV’s program Good Evening Ghana
Last week, Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu donated GH¢ 50,000 towards the Cathedral construction, saying he is hopeful the money will aid the speedy construction of the national edifice.
After the announcement of his contribution, some sects criticized him for donating such a huge amount towards the construction of the controversial National Cathedral neglecting people of the Zongo community.
In the same light, others praised him for the gesture which they believe is a mark of religious tolerance.
However, speaking on the matter, the Spokesperson of the National Chief Imam insisted that, the benevolent behavior of his leader is rooted in the Holy Quran hence there is nothing wrong with it.
“In fact, scholars have debated among themselves that when it becomes necessary, Muslims can fight to protect the house of worship for non-Muslims” He quoted Quran Chapter 22: 39 – 40” to justify the action
Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu continued that when it becomes necessary where Muslims are sharing the same neighborhood with others of a different faith, they may be obliged to even fight in defense of such places of worship.
He revealed that the first Muslims according to the Holy Quran who fled from Mecca under persecution was ordered by the Prophet Mohammed “peace be upon him”, for them to take refuge under the rule of a Christian king in Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia).
