The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra: The Office of the National Chief Imam says it has rescinded its decision upon further consultation to restrict the movement of the former president, John Dramani Mahama, at the Maulid grounds this Saturday.

This is a sharp contrast to an earlier announcement made on Wednesday that only the president or his representative would be allowed to move around to greet participants upon arrival at the Maulid grounds.

“As part of the principle, the former president will be accorded all his courtesies as the former president, but upon entry into the arena, he will drive straight to his sitting place without moving around to receive cheers.

But the sitting president, when he arrives, will have the privilege to move around and receive greetings,” the office said on Wednesday.

Sheikh Armeyaw Shuaib, Spokesperson of the National Chief Imam, said on Thursday that the decision had been rescinded.

He explained that the former president would have the opportunity to move around on the Maulid grounds to greet participants.

He spoke at a press briefing attended by Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Okaikoi Central.

“I want to emphasise that Maulid is a purely religious matter. It is not a ground for a political campaign. And we want to make sure that everything we do to undermine the sanctity, purpose, and meaning of Maulid is not done,” he said.

The organisers of the event have, among other things, prohibited the use of political party paraphernalia, the booing of guests, and making political innuendos or provocative remarks likely to attract an unpleasant response from political opponents.

These prohibitions had been necessitated by unfavourable developments where the Maulid which is an occasion to celebration the birth of Prophet Muhammed has over the years been use as a campaign platform.