The Association of Liberal Muslims-Ghana has raised concerns over what it describes as a growing trend of insults, ridicule and denigration of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) by some pastors in Ghana.
The Association, in a statement issued to media houses, said the alleged comments, which it claimed were being made on radio, television, social media platforms and in churches, constituted a serious threat to Ghana’s longstanding tradition of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The group condemned what it described as the “deliberate provocation and attack” on the personality and sacred character of the Prophet Muhammad, whom Muslims around the world, including millions of Ghanaians, hold in the highest esteem.
According to the Association, although Ghana’s constitutional democracy guarantees freedom of speech and religion, such freedoms should be exercised responsibly and should not be used to deliberately provoke religious communities or incite hatred.
Threat To Peace
The Association warned that continued attacks on revered religious personalities could undermine the cordial relationship that has historically existed between Christians and Muslims in Ghana.
It noted that Ghana had distinguished itself as a country where people of different faiths were able to worship freely and coexist peacefully, stressing that religious leaders had a responsibility to protect that environment.
“These continuous insults threaten to destroy that peace and sow seeds of hatred and division among us,” the statement said.
The Association further expressed concern that repeated religious provocation could create tensions among young people and other sections of the population, particularly at a time when comments made on traditional and social media could spread rapidly.
Potential For Violence
The group also warned of what it described as the potential for violence if provocative religious statements were allowed to continue unchecked.
It cited experiences from other parts of the world where insults directed at religious personalities had triggered protests, unrest and, in some instances, loss of lives.
The Association said Ghana should not wait for a similar situation to occur before taking preventive measures.
“We do not want Ghana to experience such dire ramifications,” it stated.
The group therefore appealed to all stakeholders to take steps to prevent religious tensions from escalating and to ensure that disagreements between religious groups were handled through dialogue and the law.
Calls On Government
The Association called on the Government, the Ministry of National Security and the Ghana Police Service to investigate what it described as acts of religious provocation and ensure that applicable laws were enforced fairly.
It also appealed to the relevant authorities to ensure that the principles of equality before the law were maintained, regardless of the religious or social standing of persons involved.
Christian Bodies
The Association further called on major Christian bodies, including the Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council and the National Association of Charismatic and Christian Churches, to publicly condemn religious insults and call their members to order.
It argued that Christian leaders had an important role to play in discouraging individuals within the Christian community from making statements capable of inflaming religious sentiments.
The Association said religious leaders should rather use their influence to promote understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence between Ghana’s various faith communities.
Media Houses Cautioned
The group also appealed to the National Media Commission and the National Communications Authority to take appropriate action against media platforms which, in its view, provide space for individuals to deliberately promote religious hatred.
It urged media houses to exercise greater editorial responsibility when handling issues relating to religion, particularly where comments could provoke tensions between communities.
The Association said media freedom should go hand in hand with responsibility, especially in a country where religious issues could have far-reaching consequences.
Muslims Are Peaceful
The Association stressed that Muslims in Ghana remained committed to peace and peaceful coexistence with people of other faiths.
It, however, cautioned that the Muslim community’s commitment to peace should not be interpreted as indifference to what it considers disrespectful attacks on the Prophet Muhammad.
“We state categorically that Muslims in Ghana are a peaceful people. However, our silence should not be mistaken for weakness,” the statement said.
It added that the love and respect for the Holy Prophet Muhammad remained non-negotiable for Muslims.
Call For Restraint
The Association urged Muslims and Christians alike to exercise restraint and avoid responding to provocative statements in ways that could further heighten tensions.
It encouraged religious leaders to focus on teachings that promote love, unity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
The group said Ghana’s religious diversity should be regarded as a strength rather than a source of division.
“Ghana is all we have,” the Association stated, urging citizens to protect the country’s peace and social cohesion.
The statement was signed by Comrade Umar Harris, Founding President of the Association of Liberal Muslims-Ghana, on behalf of concerned Muslims in Ghana.
The Association maintained that constructive dialogue, responsible religious expression and respect for the beliefs of others were essential to preserving Ghana’s reputation as a peaceful and religiously tolerant nation.
