The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osumanu Nuhu Shambutu,has expressed appreciation to the management of Zoomlion Group of Companies for its continuous support for the Muslim community in the country.

He said over the years Zoomlion had developed innovative ways of providing better accommodation and other facilities to Hajj pilgrims in the country.

The Chief Imam said the interventions by the company averted the situation where pilgrims slept in the open, among other things, in their quest to visit the Holy Land (Mecca).

This was made known on his behalf by the Chairman of the Advisory Council of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Shaib Abubakar, when he led a team to pay a familiarisation visit to the offices of Zoomlion in Accra on Tuesday.

The visit was also to enable the team to acquaint itself with the activities of the organisation, as well as share ideas on how to promote sanitation in Zongo communities.

Sheikh Sharubutu noted that unemployment that had been one of the many challenges facing the youth in Zongo communities had been reduced because the company had created various employment avenues for the youth.

"I am also aware of the massive public education programmes being rolled out by the company in Zongo communities and I support the cause of keeping our communities clean,” he added.

He said the Holy Quran was very explicit about managing waste, in particular, and sanitation, in general, and urged Muslims to abide by the Quran and keep their environment clean at all times.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Executive Chairman of Zoomlion and Jospong Group of .Companies, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, said the company had designed special programmes to interact with Muslims nationwide on environmental/ sanitation issues after their Friday prayers at the various regional mosques across the country.

To this end, he said, its officers had toured all the 12 regional mosques to raise awareness about environmental sanitation in the country.

Dr Agyepong expressed the company’s commitment to partner with Muslim communities in its public campaign slated for next year.

“We are progressing with our clean, green and healthy environment agenda, and we look forward to furthering this relationship towards bridging more gaps, educating people from diverse communities and backgrounds on good sanitary habits,” he added.