The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, yesterday conducted his maiden Friday congregational prayer ? since his arrival from this year?s pilgrimage to Mecca ? at the Abossey Okai Central Mosque for Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and a long list of New Patriotic Party (NPP) dignitaries.
They included the National Chairman, Paul Afoko; First Vice Chairman, Freddie Blay; General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong; National Women?s Organiser, Otiko Afisa Djaba; Sheikh IC Quaye and KT Hammond.
Others were Alhaji Rashid Bawa, former Ghana?s envoy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Aminu Amadu and Hajia Halima Mahama.
Nana, Bawumia and the other party stalwarts were at the mosque to offer thanks to Allah at the end of a hectic election which saw Nana Akufo-Addo emerging as the flag bearer of the NPP for the 2016 polls; after which with a unanimous approval of the National Council of the party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was named as his running mate.
Nana told the Chief Imam that he and his entourage were at the mosque to introduce his (Imam?s) son, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, as running mate, whose choise was made last Thursday, and to seek the cleric?s blessing towards the 2016 elections.
?At the end of a successful election in the NPP, we are here to seek your prayers and to introduce to you your own son, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, whom I chose as my running mate for the 2016 presidential election. We would continue to come to you for the necessary counseling. This would not be the last time that we would be calling on you for your prayers and blessings,? Nana told his host.
Dr. Bawumia, in his remarks said, ?On Thursday the National Council of the NPP accepted me as the person to partner Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2016 election. My choice is an honour to Islam, religion which I represent. I therefore seek your spiritual support for our project and the country as a whole.?
National Chairman of the party, Paul Afoko, repeated the objective of the mission to the National Chief Imam. Paul Afoko soon after his election as national chairman, it would be recalled, called on the cleric at his New Fadama residence to seek his blessings as he (Afoko) began to discharge his duties.
The visit to the National Chief Imam was an auspicious occasion, especially since in Islam newly arrived pilgrims from the Holy Land, especially outstanding clerics such as Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, are spiritually outstanding and whose prayers are held in high esteem.
As early as noon yesterday, Nana?s Nima residence started receiving guests made up of leading personalities in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who turned up to join Nana and his running mate on the trip to the Abossey Okai Central Mosque.
It was a fulfillment of an announcement Nana ??Akufo-Addo made at the National Headquarters of the NPP last Thursday, to the effect that on Friday he, Dr. Bawumia and the leadership of the party would join the National Chief Imam at the Central Mosque to thank God for a successful election.
The rush to catch a glimpse of the duo was very intense when Nana and his entourage arrived at the mosque, but in the end order was restored and guests met their hosts and exchanged pleasantries.
Sheikh Sharubutu had earlier received his guests following which he proceeded to preside over the congregational prayer in which Dr. Bawumia, Sheikh IC Quaye, Nasara National Coordinator Kamal Deen and other Muslims in the entourage partook.
He assured his guests that his doors were open for consultation as he said special prayers for them and the country in general.
By A.R. Gomda
