The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra: Hundreds of Muslim youth, mostly belonging to the Tijjaniya sect, have embarked on a 7-kilometre health walk to commemorate the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammed.

The seventh edition of the annual health walk started at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange and ended at the residence of the National Chief Imam at New Fadama.

Speaking on the theme, “A united Zongo against illicit drugs”, Alhaji Salisu Maude, the Zango and Hausa youth chief in Ghana, called on the youth to desist from taking illicit drugs.

He said the act goes contrary to the teachings of Islam, as it violates the sanctity of the human body.

He advised them to channel their energies towards productive ventures such as seeking knowledge or learning a trade that would serve as a decent source of livelihood.

“The devil finds work for the idle hands,” he added.

The occasion was also used to collect and build a database of Muslim youth present to guide the policy decisions of the Muslim leaders.

Commissioner of Police Mohammed Fuseini Suraji, Director General of the National Patrol Department of the Ghana Police Service, commended the youth for the orderliness during the walk.

He, however, warned against the public consumption of illegal substances such as marijuana during the Maulid festivity.

He said the police would not spare anyone caught smoking publicly during the event.

“If you want to smoke, do it in your house before coming to the Maulid field,” he said.

Mr Christian Tetteh Badger, Municipal Chief Executive of the Okaikwei North Assembly, called for attitudinal change among the youth to help make the reset agenda successful.

He urged constituents of his assembly to prioritise the fight against illicit drugs and poor sanitation.

The event, witnessed by the national chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, was a precursor to the annual Mawlid, under the auspices of his office.

The Mawlid is slated for September 20, 2025, at the Sharubutu AstroTurf.