Muslim Groups urges government not to interfer in Religious Affairs

Accra, Aug 29, GNA – The Coalition of Muslim
Organisations, Ghana (COMOG), has expressed concern about government’s
involvement in the construction of a cathedral for religious activities.

The coalition believed that government
involvement in religious issues have serious repercussion for the country’s
unity and cohesion, urging government to reconsider its decision.

This was in a statement signed by Sheikh Dr
Al-Hussien Zakaria, the National President of COMOG and copied to the Ghana
News Agency in Accra.

“For more than a decade now, COMOG has
continually insisted on the need for government to relinquish its stake in the
organisation of Hajj and allow Muslims to handle the pilgrimage as a purely
private spiritual exercise.

While our efforts continue to achieve this
goal, we were startled by the government’s meddling in yet another religions
endeavour, which is the construction of a cathedral,”.

Sheikh Zakariya said the Coalition was not
against the construction of a national cathedral, but believed that Christians
were in the best capacity to build a cathedral without government’s involvement
or sponsorship.

“Just as the Government of Ghana has not been
involved in the construction of a religious edifice for Muslims,
Traditionalists, and Hindus among others, it should not be involved in the
efforts by Christians to build themselves a cathedral,” it added.

The Coalition was of the view that
government’s keen interest to support religious bodies, constituted state
sponsorship and promotion of Islam and Christianity, which is an affront to the
country’s Constitution which bars the state from any promotion or sponsorship
of religious activities.

The Sheikh stated that the Coalition disagreed
with government for deciding to demolish some public facilities around the
earmarked site for the national cathedral edifice saying, such a move   amounted to “wanton destruction of state
property” and called for its relocation.

“We join many well-meaning Ghanaians in
calling for the relocation of the cathedral to another part of Ghana where it
can be constructed at little cost to the state,”.

He said COMOG was pleased with the efforts of
a private citizen to seek an interpretation in the Supreme Court on the
legality of government’s involvement in Hajj organisation and the building of
the cathedral.

“Unfortunately, before the court could have
the opportunity to hear the case, the government has gone ahead with plans on
the construction of the cathedral at a cost that unconscionable and represents
an utter misplacement of our priorities as a nation”.

The coalition also called on President, Nana
Akufo-Addo to halt the planned demolition exercise and any other activities
that would cause permanent damage to or loss of state property until the suit
at the Supreme Court was heard.

GNA

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