- Sheikh Haroun emphasized that voting is a civic responsibility
- Sheikh Haroun mentioned how Muslim leaders had previously advised their followers to vote before attending Friday prayers
- The Chief Imam called on the SDA Church leaders to guide their members to vote on December 7
Sheikh Abdul Mumin Haroun, the Chief Imam of the Ashanti Region, has strongly encouraged members of the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church to participate in the general elections scheduled for December 7, despite it coinciding with the Sabbath.
In a recent address during an SDA Church event in Kumasi, Sheikh Haroun acknowledged the church’s concerns about voting on the Sabbath, a sacred day of rest and worship for Adventists.
However, he urged the congregation to rethink their position, emphasizing the critical role of civic engagement.
Sheikh Haroun highlighted the significance of voting as both a civic duty and a contribution to the nation’s stability.
He recalled how Muslim leaders previously advised their followers to vote before attending Friday prayers, suggesting that the SDA Church might consider a similar approach.
“Voting is crucial for both our faith and our country. When elections were held on a Friday, we encouraged our community to vote first and then worship. I urge the SDA leadership to guide your members to vote on December 7,” the Chief Imam said.
Earlier this year, the Seventh-Day Adventist Church advocated for a change in the election date, citing the conflict with the Sabbath. They petitioned the Electoral Commission to move the elections from December 7, proposing either the first or second Tuesday as a more suitable date to ensure broader participation.
The Church is also pursuing further action by petitioning the Attorney General and seeking an amendment to the constitutional provisions that limit the timing of parliamentary and presidential elections in Ghana.
