US Ambassador Visits Chief Imam in Ghana

United States Ambassador in Ghana, Mr Gene Cretz, has paid a courtesy call on the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu.

The visit is an annual tradition by the US Ambassador in the country to the National Chief Imam in every month of Ramadan to replicate the US President's engagement with Muslims back in the United States.

Welcoming the Ambassador, Sheikh Ishaq Abubakar, Senior Advisor of the National Chief Imam, said he and his advisers were happy for the visit, and very appreciative to the American Embassy for visiting the Imam in this holy month of Ramadan.

He said the International Community considers America as a mother,  and appealed to the Ambassador to ask its government to do more in bringing peace in Gaza, Palestine,  since a mother loses when her two children fight.

On behalf of the National Chief Imam, Alhaji Khuzaima Mohammed Osman, his personal assistant, congratulated the Ambassador for his commitment, and the embassy's contributions towards the development of Ghana.

He said Muslims all over the world were not happy about the way and manner innocent lives were being lost in Palestine, and that the world knows that America has the influence to stop the fight.

Alhaji Khuzaima said some Ghanaian Muslim Youth are planning to embark on a peaceful demonstration to present a petition to the United States Embassy and the Embassy of Israel in Ghana,  to register their displeasure about the killings.

He said the Office of the National Chief Imam and its partners are doing everything possible to avert the demonstration.

Mr Cretz said though there are cries globally that the United States can stop the fight between Israel and Palestine, the US does not interfere in any country’s affairs, adding that, “Israel has the right to defend its land, just like Palestine.”

He said the US Embassy has no problem with the Ghanaian Muslim Youth demonstrating against what is happening in the Gaza, adding that, "it was their right and responsibility as Muslims do so on behalf of their fellow Muslims.

Mr Cretz cautioned that any protest at the US or Israel Embassies in Ghana must be done peacefully,  and the youth must take into account the good relationship that both embassies have with  Muslims in Ghana regardless of what is happening around the World.

Touching on development,  Mr Cretz said the US Embassy is currently directing most of its Development Aids to the three Northern Regions in Ghana which need much aids for development and promised to increase their support to Ghana.

He mentioned that the US Embassy as an institution always looks forward to a long lasting relationship with the Chief Imam, and to always seek advice and cooperation on issues that border on peace and development.

Mr Cretz assured the National Chief Imam of the US Embassy's support to the Muslim community in Ghana, and appealed to Ghanaians to respect their leaders, especially religious leaders.

Sheikh Sharubutu thanked the US Ambassador for the visit, and stressed the need to strengthen the relationship between the US embassy in Ghana and the Muslim community.

He said on many times, he had traveled to the United States and realized that Muslims in America were practising their religion peacefully without any constraints or challenges.

"I have visited many mosques in America and none ever complained  to me of any problem from the States. I believe that Americans are tolerant to religion just as Ghana''.

(GNA)