“Being a true Muslim doesn’t prevent you from getting close to Christians” – Bawumia
The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party(NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has stressed the importance of peaceful co-existence among Ghanaians of different faiths and religions for national unity.
According to him, there is no problem when a true Muslim gets closer to a Christian and vice versa.
Speaking to the clergy in the Northern Region, Bawumia appealed that the peaceful co-existence between different faiths in Ghana should continue.
He added that he feels very comfortable and confident associating with Christians since that was the virtue directed by the Holy Prophet Mohammed.
“I don’t think that being a true Muslim means that you cannot get close to Christians. I don’t see how being a true Christian, you cannot get close to Muslims.
“Prophet Mohammed said to the Muslims that of all the religions and faiths of this world, Muslims should get closer to the Christians. That is what the Prophet Mohammed said and so I am very much comfortable and confident in getting close to Christians. My brothers and sisters are Christians and I cannot say that I will not get close to them,” he noted.
He also justified that when there is a peaceful co-existence between Ghanaians of different faiths, it will dispel the entry and activities of jihadists in the nation.
“There are many people who are uncomfortable with us [Muslims] getting closer [to Christians] and that is how jihadists and all of the extremists benefit. We are a peaceful country and we always get closer and so let us keep it that way”.
It will be recalled that in 2023, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram Constituency, Samuel Nartey George tagged Dr. Bawumia as a “religious prostitute,” alleging that he publicly associates with both churches and mosques purely for political advantage.
However, the former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho in a post on his Twitter page, now termed ‘X’ expressed his disapproval, emphasizing that it is not Sam George’s role to judge someone’s religious beliefs.