Forging Closer Ties: Adventist Support Muslim Fast
In a spirit of fostering good relations with the Muslim community, the Southern Ghana Union Conference leadership paid a courtesy call on the National Chief Iman, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharabutu on June 21, 2016 and donated food items valued at Ghs15,000 ($3500) in support of the Ramadan fast.
The Adventist delegation was, led by the President of the Southern Ghana Union Conference, Pastor Thomas Techie Ocran. He said the visit was to help forge closer ties with the Muslim community. "As a church we have lived in Ghana very peaceably with Muslims: our churches, schools, and hospitals are located in your communities and we have been well received. We also have Muslim children and youth and teachers in our schools, and my administration will continue to promote this cordial relationship," Pastor Ocran said.
The National chief Imam was impressed by the gesture and lauded the church for the move. "We are all the children of God with diverse beliefs. Our diversity should create in us a quest to know each other better and should not be basis for conflict and strife. He noted that in Ghana, different religious groups have been able to live peacefully with each other and prayed that other countries can learn from Ghana's example. According to the Director of Muslim Relations, Pastor Zacharia Asuboni, the donated food items included 40 bags of rice, 20bags of Sugar, 23 cartons of oil, 20cartons of Milk and 20 cartons of Milo. Other items included 1OO bags of sachet water and 140 loaves of bread donated by the Valley View University. "We know many of the poor and destitute are fed by the office of the National chief Imam during the holy month of Ramadan, and so we wanted to help in that regard."
The Executive Secretary of the Union, Pastor Chris Annan Nunoo handed over the items to the Protocol Director of the Office of the Chief Iman, Alhaji Abdul-Latif A. Abdul Salam. The Adventist delegation was also made up the Union Treasurer, Elder Emmanuel Odonkor, The Ministerial Secretary, Pastor Nii Lante Thompson, Strategic Planning/Stewardship Director, Pastor Paul Adu Sampah, Chapliancy Director, Major Peter Nyarko Duodu, Sabbath School/Global Mission Director, Pastor Michael Assilidjoe, Youth Director, Pastor Alfred Kwasi Asiem, Women Mini stries Director, Mrs Christiana Agyenim Boateng, and Pastor Joe Hagan of the Valley View University.
By: Solace Asafo-Hlordzi
Picture Captions - Photo credit: Kwabena Ofori Amoah
Pastor Chris Annan-Nunoo hands over items.
Pastor Thomas Ocran in a handshake with National Chief Imam of Ghana, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu
ADVENTIST SUPPORT MUSLIM FAST