The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra: Members of the Muslim Caucus of Parliament are in a quagmire following the remarks made by Sam Dzata George, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram.

The MP, during a political morning show on Metro TV last Tuesday, raised concerns about the religious utterances and conduct of the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is a Muslim and the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party.

For instance, Sam George criticised the vice president for saying both Muslims and Christians believed in the coming of Jesus Christ as a saviour since Muslims regarded Jesus as a prophet and not a lord and saviour.

He also accused the vice president of being an associate member of a big church group in the country and failing to speak up on matters that affected the Muslim community, hence being a “religious prostitute”.

“No true Muslim kneels before a Catholic priest or a pastor to lay hands on them,” he said.

Following the remarks, the Chairman of the Muslim Caucus of Parliament, Alhaji Farouk Aliu Mahama, issued a press statement on behalf of the caucus last Thursday describing the comments as religious bigotry, which was “dishonourable” and “retrogressive”.

“As Chairman of the Muslim Caucus in Parliament, I strongly condemn the religious bigotry statement made by Sam George against Vice President Bawumia.

“Such remarks are not only offensive but also perpetuate stereotypes, discrimination, and unfair treatment based on an individual’s religious beliefs,” he said.

On that same day, the Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi constituency, Alhaji Yussif Sulemana, who also happened to be the Vice Chairman of the Muslim Caucus of Parliament, issued a disclaimer saying the statement does not represent any communication from the caucus, adding that “the said press release is the personal and self-serving effusions of Farouk.”

“Farouk is aware that the Muslim Caucus of Ghana’s Parliament, as an association, is governed by rules and decisions, and their culminating press releases are taken at general or emergency meetings.

“As Vice Chair, I and the majority of other members are not aware of or have not attended any meeting at which the decision was taken to issue the above statement,” he said in a statement.

He noted that it was unfortunate, immoral, and dishonourable for a religious association such as the Muslim caucus to be used to pursue parochial political interests