The Upper West Regional Minister, Lawyer Charles Lwanga Puozuing, is facing backlash from the Muslim community for making disparaging and “blasphemous” remarks about Islamic beliefs and practices.
In a widely circulated video, Puozuing allegedly mocked the five daily prayers, a fundamental aspect of Islam, suggesting those who pray five times in a day do not have proper work to do and that people can combine prayers at their convenience, which God would understand.
“I came to spend 4 years to better the lives of people. It takes only a religious fanatic to know the five daily Prayer times. It is only when you don’t have a proper work to do that you vividly remember that every 3 hours there is prayer time. It is only when you have time that you even realize that someone did not come to mosque. It is only when you sit and take tea that you realize that there is prayer time. When you have proper work to do, you even forget to pray. Or you combine all the five daily prayers and pray at a particular time, and God will understand,” the Minister stated in the video.
The Office of the Upper West Regional Chief Imam has issued a strong worded statement condemning Puozuing’s comments, describing them as insensitive, arrogant, and inflammatory.
The statement signed by the Regional Executive Secretary, at the office of the Regional Chief Imam, Abdul Rahman Ibrahim, has it that the Muslim community takes exception to the Minister’s comment, demanding a full retraction of the statement and a formal apology within 72 hours.
“In view of the above, the Office of the Upper West Regional Chief Imam, on behalf of the entire Muslim community of the region, demands the following:
1. A full and unqualified retraction of the statement by the Honorable Minister.
2. A formal and public apology to the Muslim community, both in the region and across Ghana.
3. This must be done within 72 hours from the date of this release,” the statement added.
The Regional Chief Imam added that failure for the Minister to meet their demands will leave the Muslim community with no option that to explore peaceful measures to safeguard their faith and dignity.
Meanwhile, before the ultimatum expired, the Regional Minister, Lawyer Charles Lwanga Puozuing, embraced the opportunity to visit the offices of various religious leaders with a strong delegation, seeking to extend a heartfelt apology to the Muslim community in the Region.
His sincere gesture was warmly received by the Muslim leadership, who, in a spirit of unity, assured him of their unwavering support after offering a special prayer and guidance.
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