Let Peace Prevail — Sheikh Arimyawo Urges Ghanaians to Reject Violence and Embrace Dialogue

A Muslim cleric, Sheikh Arimyawo, has called on Ghanaians to remain calm, embrace peace and resist any actions that could plunge the country into conflict or violence.

Speaking during an engagement between the Ghana Police Service and religious leaders, the cleric said peace must remain central to the country’s national life, particularly at a time when tensions and disagreements appear to be growing.

He stressed that it would be contradictory for people to pray for peace while simultaneously engaging in actions that promote conflict and violence.

According to him, peace is fundamental to the Christian and Muslim faiths and must therefore guide the conduct of citizens.
“Peace doesn’t have a timetable. There is no moment in our lives that we don’t need peace,” he noted, while referencing the words of Cardinal Appiah Turkson that violence may appear abstract, but its consequences are carried out through human action.

He consequently urged Ghanaians to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could worsen tensions.
The cleric expressed concern about the current state of affairs in the country, saying Ghana has in recent days been witnessing developments that could create hostility and division.
He appealed to citizens to reflect on the long history of peaceful coexistence among Ghana’s religious and ethnic communities.
He noted that Ghanaians have traditionally lived together with mutual respect, collaboration and love, stressing that these values must not be abandoned in times of disagreement.

Sheikh Arimyawo also called for mutual respect among Christians and Muslims, emphasizing that the two faiths share important teachings on peace, love, forgiveness and compassion.
He noted that prophets are highly respected in both the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Bible, pointing out that Prophet Jesus is mentioned several times in the Qur’an than Prophet Mohammed.
He said Muslims also respect prophets such as Moses, Enoch, Abraham and Jesus, just as Christians respect Prophet Muhammad.
“We are not different from each other,” he stressed, calling for greater understanding between followers of the two religions.

He further referenced the teaching to “love your neighbour as yourself”, describing it as one of the most powerful commandments for promoting peaceful coexistence.
According to him, the Holy Qur’an also teaches that a person’s faith cannot be complete without love and concern for their neighbour.

The cleric appealed to all those affected by recent events to exercise restraint and keep their emotions under control.
“In the midst of cacophony, let’s all have cool heads to be able to deal with this matter,” he urged.

He called on Imams and other religious leaders to use their platforms to preach peace, forgiveness, pardon and compassion, describing these as virtues taught by both Jesus and Prophet Muhammad.

He also commended the Ghana Police Service for engaging religious leaders as part of efforts to promote peaceful dialogue and prevent tensions from escalating.
The engagement underscored the need for religious and community leaders to work together with the security agencies to preserve Ghana’s peace and stability.
The cleric concluded with an appeal to Christians and Muslims alike to become peacemakers, emphasizing that the responsibility of protecting peace rests with everyone.
“Blessed are the peacemakers,” he reminded the gathering, urging all Ghanaians to choose dialogue over confrontation and peace over violence.

By Maurice Otoo