When I first conceived the idea of African Students for Interfaith Tolerance on Sunday, 12th May 2019 it did not make enough sense to me. I faced a lot more questions that I could provide. But I had an inner feeling of the need to have it.
This idea of always promoting religious tolerance came up after the horrific attack on a mosque in New Zealand and another brutal attack on a church in Sri Lanka coupled with fear as a result of the persistent news circulating on our television sets of a possible Islamic militants evasion of the Sub Saharan Africa.
I always fervently pray to my maker, to empower me to lead an advocacy against all forms of hate and intolerance in our societies. Mostly, when people are ready to take the lives of others unjustifiably when there’s a disagreement.
Back to ASFIT, it is undoubtedly a fact that, in anything we do challenges and discomfort are abound. I have had my fair share for the few months of the existence of ASFIT and still look forward to more ahead since I can only prepare for them but cannot prevent the occurrences of such hindrances.
Firstly, I failed in my several attempts to organise a seminar or a dialogue purposely to appreciate the current status of religious tolerance in our Ghanaian society. I again failed to launch a branch of ASFIT in Tamale College of Education before I left campus. I also failed in constituting a national executive board for ASFIT. And more.
But in the midst of all these failures and challenges, I have always learnt something. Something very valuable for the progress and survival of ASFIT.
Many will say, Inter-faith tolerance is a good thing. But fewer people are willing to serve us advocates. Getting like-minded people to collaborate with has not been an task. Many friends are met and talked to downplayed the idea and called it ‘irrelevant.’ Others loved the idea but wasn’t ready to support the course.
I persisted in the face of all these difficulties because I knew the harrowing impact of so much hate and intolerance which can take over unfortunately if we do not take up steps to up our game..
Over the world, hate and intolerance are largely due to ignorance and failure to appreciate the fact we cannot all share in the same Ideology either politically or religiously. That we must people understand and accept.
We need a freer future where individuals have their personal rights to do what concerns them and their lives if it does not impact negatively on others and the society.
I call on all individuals to support and become personal advocates of TOLERANCE most especially RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE today.
In Ghana, religious intolerance is not an issue we only need to make people consciously aware of it and safeguard it.
Message me or email us at asfitghana2019@gmail.com to join or learn more about African Students For Inter-faith Tolerance (ASFIT).
Issah Toha Shamsoo (President – ASFIT)
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