The Ghana National Association of Muslim Teachers is asking the government to, as a matter of urgency, hold a stakeholder meeting to resolve the Wesley Girls-Ramadan impasse.
The group says the issue has the potential of escalating into a Muslim-Christian tussle if left unresolved.
Wesley Girls’ High School has been in the news for preventing a Muslim student from taking part in the Ramadan fast.
The school has been criticised over the issue.
The refusal of the Methodist church to adhere to the Ghana Education Service’s directive for Wesley Girls High School to allow Muslim students to fast with the consent of parents also attracted mixed reactions from the different religious sects and stakeholders.
The Muslim teachers say the government must intervene immediately for an amicable solution.
“The situation in non-mission schools in regard to the abuse of Muslim students is even more worrying. Schools with dominant Christians as members of management operate as Christian mission schools and abusing Muslim Students with impunity.”
“The aggregate effect of these abuses is an indication that the much-touted mantra of tolerance and coexistence among Christians and Muslims in Ghana is only a façade of superficial significance”, the group said in a statement.
Stay calm as we resolve Wesley Girls’ fasting impasse – Chief Imam to Muslims
Meanwhile, the National Chief Imam has called on the Muslim community to remain calm as his outfit works to resolve the current impasse at the Wesley Girls’ High School.
The office of the National Chief Imam says it finds the statement from the Methodist Church worrying and has called for immediate dialogue.
Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, in an interview, said “this is the first time such an issue is coming up, and so we understand why most Muslims have become passionate about it. We don’t fault them at all, however, we urge them to let calm prevail as we work to resolve the issue.”
“The Chief Imam has called for immediate consultations between the Christian and Muslim leaders. And we are hopeful that we will settle the issue amicably. We are employing the empathetic engagement to resolve this issue.”
He further cautioned the Muslim community to be careful not to generalize the issue as it will breed religious divisions.
