Stories By Bernice Bessey
The Ghana Muslim Mission has urged Ghanaians, especially Muslims pilgrims to Mecca, to make physical exercise part of their lifestyle, since it had the potential to control weight, health and diseases, improve mood and boost energy.
According to Deputy National Coordinator, Alhaji Nuhu Anyetei Cofie, physical exercise was any bodily activity that enhanced and maintained physical fitness and overall health, and the wellbeing of a person.
He noted the month of hajji was at hand, and since it was the fifth pillar of Islam that every adult Muslim must undertake, at least, once in their lifetime, if they can afford, it was, therefore, necessary for the pilgrim to be physically able to undergo the religious mandate.
After a health walk through some principal streets of Accra on Saturday morning, Alhaji Nuhu Anyetei Cofie stressed that “hajji is about walking, and if the pilgrim wants to find it easy, then they must sort to physical exercise, especially walking.”
He added that the health walk was also to promote Ghana Muslim Mission ideologies, and efforts at the development of the country.
Exercise, they say, doesn’t only give more energy, but can also prolong life, because of the strengthening of muscles and cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance, as well as for the purpose of enjoyment. Frequent and regular physical exercise boosts the immune system, and helps prevent the “diseases of affluence” such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity
The Deputy Coordinator indicated that the mission had been able to construct about 220 schools across the country, with one university in the pipeline at Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
He further urged parents to aid their children, especially the girl child, to attend school to acquire knowledge and skills, stating: “Seeking knowledge is compulsory for everyone. Knowledge is important, so please fathers, be serious with your children education.”
Pix by: Eric Owiredu