Growing concern following the appointment of Mohammed Abdul Salaam as the acting Managing Director of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), continues to heighten as Islamic leaders call for the government to revise his appointment.
Imam of the Nima community and the Director of the Institute Of Arabic And Islamic Studies, Mohammed Sani, is the latest to add his voice to the call, describing the new NLA boss appointment as an abomination.
The announcement of the former northern regional secretary of the NDC, Mohammed Abdul-Salam as the acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) by Article 195(1) of the Constitution and Section 45(1) of the National Lotto Act, 2006 (Act 722), did not receive the reception it deserved among the Muslim community.
Scores of Islamic leaders have criticized the appointment and questioned his decision to accept the role, considering that lottery or gambling is deemed haram in the Islamic faith.
While some are calling on the President to revise his role, others are simply appalled by it.
Imam of the Nima community and the Director of the Institute Of Arabic And Islamic Studies, Mohammed Sani argued strongly that his appointment is a haram in the Muslim Quran.
Chapter 5 verse 90 of the Holy book of the Quran explicitly frowns on acts of games of chance describing it as an infamy of Satan’s handwork.
A community leader in the Nima township, Alhaji Mohammed Awal Haruna, advised Mohammed Abdul-Salam to reject the appointment.
As the appointment seeks to draw controversies and dissenting views, some residents of the Nima community shared their thoughts with the news team.
Since the Islamic community equally holds a significant demographic of the political landscape, should the President consider revising the appointment of Mohammed Abdul Salaam as the New acting Managing Director of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), or should he go ahead with his appointment?
Andy Oppong Dankyi – ABC News Gh