Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, has called on Christians and Muslims to exercise restraint, patience and forgiveness as Ghana works to contain tensions following a viral incident involving a pastor who was arrested over alleged derogatory comments about Prophet Muhammad.
Speaking at an engagement between the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Police Management Board (POMAB) and religious leaders on Friday, August 14, Sheikh Aremeyaw said the incident had generated strong emotions and created a risk of escalating tensions between Ghana’s two major religious communities.
He cautioned that anger over religious provocation must not be allowed to undermine the longstanding peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the country.
According to Sheikh Aremeyaw, Ghana’s peace must be protected through continuous dialogue, tolerance and responsible conduct, rather than only during periods of heightened tension.
He said maintaining peace should be viewed as a permanent responsibility shared by all citizens, particularly religious leaders whose messages can significantly influence their followers.
“Peace, therefore, does not have a timetable,” Sheikh Aremeyaw said. “There is no moment in our lives when we will not need peace.”
He urged both Christian and Muslim communities to resist actions or rhetoric that could deepen divisions and instead pursue peaceful and lawful means of addressing grievances.
Sheikh Aremeyaw’s call comes amid heightened public discussion over religious tolerance and the need for restraint following the incident, with security and religious authorities seeking to prevent the matter from developing into broader interfaith conflict.
He emphasised that Ghana’s history of peaceful Christian-Muslim relations must be preserved and strengthened, particularly at a time when provocative incidents can quickly spread through social media and inflame public sentiment.
