Islam as a religion of Allah has no relationship with the above elements.
This is my perspective or thinking.
Islam is all about submission to the will of Allah. It is also about peace with all.
The adherents of this noble religion believe in the oneness of Allah, the Creator of the universe and everything in it.
We believe in the five pillars or the fundamentals of the religion.
These are as stated, the Kalmashad Allah, to wit, believing in the oneness of Allah, and that Prophet Mohammed is or was the last of the Prophets Allah Almighty had sent to mankind.
He is the seal of prophethood.
All Muslims are expected to perform five daily prayers called Al-Salat.
It is a compulsory duty or task for all Muslims.
Then we have the Sawm or fasting which is done during the month of Ramadan.
There are some exceptions for some Muslims. These include ill health or the sick, menstrual women, travelling, or journeying individuals.
When missed, one must perform it by the number of days missed.
Zakat, with this pillar, Muslims are expected to give financial and nonfinancial aid to the poor, the needy, and the destitute.
Haj, performing the ritual by visiting Makah and Madina, the two holy cities at least once in the lifetime of any Muslim.
Other Godly activities are expected from Muslims to all persons.
Religion has nothing to do, with one’s ethnicity, name, or culture.
For instance, if one is an Ashanti and believes and performs all the Islamic activities as mentioned supra.
He is Kwesi and his ethnicity is Akan, to be specific an Asante and has considered all the requirements of Islam, and practices them to the letter.
I can with all humility describe him as a Muslim.
In the same vein, a person who is Chamba, my tribe and he is called Ahmed (not me) and does not believe or act on all or any of the pillars of the religion as mentioned, cannot be described as a Muslim.
In Ghana’s Parliament or House of Legislature, the Member of Parliament for the good people of Banda is also a Deputy Minority Chief Whip by the name of Hon Ahmed Ibrahim. He is a Christian and a staunch member of the Church of Pentecost. He bears the name, Ahmed Ibrahim, but he is a Christian.
Hon Kobina Tahir Hammond, Member of Parliament for Adansi and the current Minister of Trade and Industry is a Muslim.
These two known examples of people with some perceived religious names but are not as their names portray them to be.
Hon KT is a Fante and Hon Ahmed Ibrahim is a Banda.
Also, it is a fact that not all Arabs are Muslims.
There are Arabs who are Christians and undertake their religious activities in the Arabic language.
I know in Nigeria, there are Hausa population who are not Muslims but Christians and carry out their religious service in Hausa.
Many others bear names that are either understood or not as belonging to some religions but are not.
Persons can belong to the same ethnic group, having similar cultures or names, but are not of the same religions.
I believe this education or piece will cure the misconception people have and are drawing the correlation between ethnicity, culture, and name as religious attributes or elements.
Conclusion
It is clear from the examples given that one’s ethnicity, culture, and name have nothing to do with his or her religious affiliation.
I am sure with this, those who are quick to judge people by their names, culture, and ethnicity, will have a second look at it before concluding.
Religion has nothing to do with names, ethnicity, and culture.
It is a personal choice.
Ahmed
The Servant
