Misunderstanding and Misapplication of Religion Is Problematic- Maulvi Bin Salih

The Ameer and Missionary-in-Charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana, Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih, has cautioned against the misuse and misapplication of religion, warning that religious conflicts could have devastating consequences for Ghana’s peace and national cohesion.

Speaking at the 40th National Conference of Elders held at the NJA College of Education, Maulvi Bin Salih said history had demonstrated the destructive impact religious conflicts could have on human societies.

He stressed that, just like partisan politics, religion itself was not the problem, but rather the manner in which it was understood and practised.

According to him, the wrong interpretation and application of religious teachings could create divisions and conflict capable of destabilising entire communities and nations.

“The havoc that religion has caused to mankind, when you read history books, are still alive and it will be there in the minds of each and every one of us,” he said.

Maulvi Bin Salih noted with concern that there were growing signs of tension emanating from religious circles in Ghana, describing the development as a threat to the country’s peaceful coexistence.

“Of late, there are drums of war being beaten in our country and unfortunately those drums are coming from religious fronts,” he stated.

He observed that Ghana had successfully conducted its elections and established a government, giving the country some respite from political tensions.

However, he said, religious disagreements appeared to be emerging as a new source of concern.

“We’ve since held our elections and we’ve put a party, a government in place. The politicians somehow have given us a little space to breathe. But before we can say jack, we’ve started hearing drums of war from religious circles,” he said.

The Ahmadiyya leader warned that religious wars were particularly destructive because of their potential to undermine the peaceful coexistence of people from different backgrounds.

“There is nothing in this world that is more devastating to the peace and peaceful coexistence of human society more than religious wars,” he cautioned.

He added that the consequences of misapplying religion could extend beyond individuals to affect entire communities, nations and humanity.

“Religion misapplied can undo a whole community, a whole nation, a whole of mankind,” Maulvi Bin Salih said.

He subsequently challenged Ghanaians, particularly religious leaders and elders, to reflect on the country’s history and the religious traditions inherited from previous generations.

He questioned whether contemporary Ghanaians could claim to have a better understanding of religion than the founding fathers and mothers who helped build the nation.

“Are we the ones who invented the religions that we have in the country today? Are we suggesting that we know better than our forebears, the founding fathers and mothers of this country called Ghana?” he asked.

He called for restraint, tolerance and responsible interpretation of religious teachings to protect Ghana’s longstanding peace and ensure peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths.