Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Abu Kabienbata Kansangabata has appealed to Muslims in the country to eschew violence and rather preach peace, unity and respect for divergent views. He stated that Islam preaches peace and brotherhood and challenged followers of the religion to uphold those tenets and not allow themselves to be used for any parochial interest or violent acts. Mr. Kansangabata made the appeal at the annual conference of the Jamiat Hidayat Islamiat in Wa. The conference which was held under the theme ‘‘Challenges of Islamic development in a contemporary world’’ brought together Muslims Sheiks and clerics from all over the region. The Conference is instituted to serve as a platform to review the activities of the organization and to address shortcomings, applaud successes and recognize deserving individuals and groups. The Wa Municipal director of the Ghana Education Service, Alhassan Suleman stressed the need for an educational fund to be established to help the needy Muslim youth acquire formal education. Mr. Alhassan observed that government’s support to education over the years was dwindling and it was incumbent on Muslims to look for alternative sources to fund the education of the needy amongst them. The Egyptian ambassador to Ghana, Umar Ahmed Abdul-Wahab Salem who was the guest of honor was full of praise to the Jamiat-Hidayat Islamiat for establishing the Islamic Senior High School and the Wa Islamic Hospital. Ambassador Umar urged them not to rest on their oars but work hard to achieve the intended goals they have set for themselves. ‘‘We should put our destiny in to our hands, use our resources, our labor, ingenuity and we can achieve something. “Many African countries do not concentrate on agriculture and this is wrong thinking. We have the resources, the land and the people. We can beat the world through that,” he added. The deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Abu Kabienbata Kansangabata stated that Islam for that matter religion is a way of life which encompasses the spiritual, social and economic development of its followers. These developments according to Mr. Kansangabata must conform to the changes of the time.