By Daniel Bampoe
Former Vice President and 2028 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Mahamudu Bawumia, has drawn praise from sections of the Muslim community following what many described as a remarkable display of tolerance, humility and statesmanship during Eid-ul-Adha prayers organised by the Ahlus Sunnah community in Accra.
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning at the forecourt of the State House where thousands of Muslims gathered to observe the Eid prayers.
Dr. Bawumia, who joined the congregation for the annual Islamic celebration, was seen interacting warmly with Sheikh Mohammed Kamil Samudeen, one of his most outspoken critics during the heated 2024 general election campaign.
According to accounts from persons present at the grounds, tensions briefly emerged among some worshippers who reportedly objected to Sheikh Kamil leading the prayers because of his past criticisms and public attacks against Dr. Bawumia and the New Patriotic Party.
However, witnesses say it was Dr. Bawumia himself who intervened to calm the situation and appealed for peace, allowing Sheikh Kamil to proceed with the prayers without disruption.
In what many have described as a symbolic gesture of reconciliation and maturity, Dr. Bawumia reportedly sat beside the cleric throughout portions of the gathering and engaged him in cordial conversation despite their well-publicised political differences.
The moment has since generated widespread discussion on social media, with many describing the former Vice President’s actions as evidence of political maturity and emotional restraint in the face of past hostility.
The relationship between Sheikh Kamil and the NPP leadership became highly controversial during the 2024 election season after the cleric openly criticised Dr. Bawumia and allegedly urged sections of the Muslim community to reject the NPP flagbearer.
The cleric was widely accused by some NPP supporters of contributing to the significant erosion of Muslim support for the party during the elections, particularly in parts of the Ashanti Region and Zongo communities.
During the campaign period, Sheikh Kamil also became embroiled in another major controversy involving former Education Minister and NPP running mate, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO.
The dispute eventually escalated into a GH¢10 million defamation lawsuit filed by NAPO at the High Court in Kumasi over alleged defamatory remarks made by the cleric in viral videos.
Court documents in the case accused Sheikh Kamil of making false and damaging claims regarding the personal life and character of the former Minister.
Despite the tensions and legal disputes that characterised the election period, Dr. Bawumia appeared determined to project unity and religious tolerance during the Eid celebration.
In a brief message shared after the prayers, the former Vice President stated: “This morning, I joined the Ahlusunnah community in Accra to observe Eid ul Adha prayers at the forecourt of the State House. May Allah accept our sacrifices and supplications.”
