President John Dramani Mahama on Monday called on Muslims to use the month of Ramadan (fasting) to pray for peace, unity and stability of the country.
He also gave the assurance that government on its part would continue to pursue issues that would maintain perpetual peace and the democratic image of the country in spite of the on-going election petition at the Supreme Court.
President Mahama made this call when the Muslim caucus in Parliament called on him at the Flagstaff House, Kanda.
The Members of Parliament thank the President for his continuous support for the Muslim community and to congratulate him for ascending to the highest position of Ghana.
President Mahama commended the Muslim caucus for establishing the Muslim Zakat Fund, which he said would eventually help them to ameliorate the plight of the poor and vulnerable in the Muslim communities.
He explained that the Muslim communities had the historical antecedent of being among the poor in society.
President Mahama urged Muslims to spend a chunk of the Fund in sponsoring their students to attain educational laurels in the country.
The President advised the administrators of the Fund to initiate more educational programmes to generate financial support that would enable them to undertake meaningful development projects in subsequent years.
President Mahama promised to contribute periodically to the Fund to offer more support to Muslim communities and needy students.
On the pilgrimage to Mecca this year, the President said government had appointed a Coordinator who would be working alongside representatives of various Muslim organizations to ensure smooth travels.
He, however, cautioned the Hajj Committee to be mindful of the deadline for arrangements for the religious trip to avoid the ritual flight failures and unnecessary fatigue on the part of pilgrims.
Dr Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan, Head of the Caucus, commended President Mahama for his role in ensuring peaceful and smooth pilgrimage last year, and support government has offered the Muslim communities during fasting.
He particularly mentioned the construction of Hajj Villages in Accra and Tamale and the direct movement of some pilgrims from Tamale as phenomenal in the history of Muslim pilgrimage in the country.
Dr Alhassan, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mion Constituency in the Northern Region, said the initial membership of the Zakat Fund had being increased from 24 to 250, and hoped to rope in more Muslims.
The MP announced that the Fund had so far supported a Medical student in China with $4,000 to enable her to complete her course.