MUSLIM WOMEN CONDEMN FAROUK (MIRROR, PAGE 32, JAN 9, 2010)

By George Ernest Asare, Kumasi

Executives of Moslem Women in Business in Ghana have condemned the action of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the 23-year-old Nigerian, who attempted to bomb a passenger jetliner when it was approaching the US city of Detroit on Christmas Day.
“We are against all forms of violence, especially terrorism, which is creating instability world-wide and undermining the promotion of peaceful co-existence between Muslims and other groups of people”.
Speaking to The Mirror on behalf of the executive members when they visited the Kumasi Office of Graphic Communications Group last Tuesday, the Vice President of the association, Hajia Ramatu of Mr and Lady Boutique in Kumasi, noted “We cannot imagine how a 23-year-old boy from a wealthy home could allow himself to be influenced by fanatics to carry out such a heinous crime against his fellow human beings”. 
She said it was time Muslim women in particular and women in general took keen interest in the activities of their sons, socialise them in a positive manner to enable them to appreciate the values of life.
This, she said, would prevent them from getting involved in activities that fuel fanatism world-wide.
Other executive members who accompanied Hajia Ramatu were the General Secretary, Hajia Hamida Sulemana of Hemmis Flora in Kumasi and the Women Organiser, Hajia Lallah Ali of Lallamatu Boutique, also in Kumasi.
Hajia Ramatu said the incident involving Farouk occurred when members of the association were striving to extend their operations to America, “ which has now opened her doors widely to us and is encouraging us to do brisk business with her”.
“ The negative perception that Muslim youth are violent has dented our image for far too long. That is why we, as mothers, are concerned with the proper upbringing of our children, and want to use this platform to encourage Moslem Women in particular and women in general to show keen interest in the activities of their sons and plant seeds of fellow-feelings, peaceful co-existence, empathy and the fear of God in them to help them eschew all forms of violence,” she said.
She called on Imams, Sheikhs and the Clergy in the Muslim community to use Friday prayers to frequently educate the youth on the consequence of violence in all forms and ask them to avoid it and rather support sustainable socio-economic development world-wide.