Muslim group and Ghanaian Muslim Pilgrims currently in Mina in the Kindom of Saudi Arabia have condemned Nana Oye Lithur over what they described as a blasphemous act which only amounts to a mockery of Islam and Muslims in general.
The group was reacting to social media images which have gone viral of the former women, Gender and Social protection Minister of the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration when she participated in Salat.
According to the group, her posture in Ruku (bowing) and Sujud (prostration) is completely alien to the Islamic manner of prayers or salat.
“To us as Muslims, we find these images as mockery, slanderous and blasphemous” they noted.
Oye Lithur, according to the groups is a known practising Christian who has never shown any love for Islam and Muslims even when she was a Minister of State.
In a statement signed by the convenor of the groups, Hajj Umar Bodinga who doubles as the 1st Vice Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), stated that Nana Oye Lithur’s sudden found love for Islam and Muslims is due to her bid to contest to become Parliamentary candidate for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Adenta constituency.
“Oye Lithur’s real anti-Islamic personality was amply displayed by her open participation in Salat (Muslim Prayers) an act that is reserved for Muslim which even comes with conditions”.
This, the group further condemned her act in no uncertain terms and ask for an immediate unconditional apology for this dastard act.
On his part, an Islamic Scholar, Alhaji Sadat Anwan stated that It is a common practice by non-Muslim politicians to participate in congregational prayers only when the main salat is done.
He further stated that one would have to undergo some physical and spiritual cleansing (ablution) before partaking in Salat.
He added that if the person did so knowingly, Muslim Scholars agreed that such a person becomes a kaafir (Disbeliever).
He said Prophet Muhamad (S.A.W) said that “there is no salat, except with ablution”.
He further described the actions of Oye Lithur as unfortunate.
“I wonder what she sought to achieve, saying salat openly against the spirit and teachings of Islam and knowing that she is not a Muslim, even if she is, She would have been required to be in a state of purity” the Islamic Scholar noted.
“Is she so determined to disrespect and mock Islam? and the best way she thinks she could do so is to act blasphemously?” He asked.
Source: Muhammed Faisal Mustapha
