Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, the spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, has urged calm in Bawku, in the Upper East.
The Chief Imam, who has kinsmen in the region, along with the National Chief Imam, expressed grave concerns about the ongoing conflict in the area during a January 21 interview on JoyNews’ The Probe.
Tensions are rising again after three young men were allegedly killed in the Bawku area by a military officer.
The soldiers acted in self-defense, according to the military, which contests this. The young men were killed by the soldiers after being arrested, according to eyewitnesses, for no crime.
The people in the area want justice for the deaths of the young men. Sheikh Shaibu responded to the situation by advising Bawku’s predominantly Muslim population to adhere to the Qur’anic teachings that promote peace and let harmony rule.
I am speaking to the Bawku people through the National Chief Imam’s voice because they are primarily Muslims. I want them to think about the spirit of peace that permeates our language and our greetings to one another, like “peace be upon you,” or “as-salamu alaykum.”
“After we silence the gun, break the cycle of vengeance, sound more conciliatory, let’s explore more opportunities for negotiated peace through dialogue and know that as we do so, we’ll be able to reach [peace],” he stated. “They should look at this and look at peace as one of the virtues and values of Islam.”
