The Muslim community has made significant progress, but it has often overlooked its own achievements. This is a sentiment shared by many residents of the community, who believe that such progress should be recognized, serving as an inspirational message to others and encouraging actions based on these accomplishments.

The community has also been urged to do more to ensure further development and progress, particularly for the benefit of vulnerable individuals.

At the inaugural edition of the annual Abdulai Tano Memorial Lectures and Awards at Kumasi Central Mosque, where several personalities, both deceased and living, were honored for their selfless contributions, various speakers praised the initiatives and programs that have positively impacted lives over the years.

An initiative by the Ghana Muslim Students Association Alumni (Ashanti Branch) in collaboration with the Muslim Professionals Association recognized five individuals with the Most Outstanding Executive Leader award. The recipients were Daniyal Abdul Kareem Esq, Hajj Nasir Mohammed Ibrahim, Humu Zakari Esq, Majeed Musah Esq, and Imam Alhassan Issah Zwazwa.

Four other individuals were also recognized with the Most Outstanding Service award for their consistent contributions. These recipients were Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Sheikh Dr. Amin Bonsu, Alhaji Mohammed Braimah Youseph, and Haroun Abdullah.

Three individuals also received the Most Outstanding Ulama award for their exceptional ability to ignite passion, inspire hope, and empower others to reach their full potential. The recipients of this honour were Sheikh Ishaak Ibrahim Nuamah, Ustaaz Ali Adam Al Amir, and Sheikh Adam Baba Dan Gigala.

The Most Outstanding Service/Business award was presented to Alhaji Africana for his generosity and the financial support he provided in shaping the Ghana Muslim Students Association.
Meanwhile, the Most Outstanding Service of All Time award was given to Maimarta Sarki Abubakar Ali III for his true spirit of selflessness and dedicated service.

President of the Alumni, Rabi Mohammed said the recognition was necessary to ensure that legends are celebrated.

“It is important we have a platform annually to celebrate our legends, celebrate ourselves, rewrite our history for generations to come,” Mr Mohammed said.

He stated that the platform will serve as both a reminder and a guide, encouraging the next generation to do much more for the community.

MP for the Asawase constituency, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, said the community sometimes feel hard about itself and fails to recognize some of the achievements. He observed that all the speakers at the event were not secular in their speech but had Quran knowledge as a guide.

Mr Muntaka also urged the community to document the histories of individuals to honour their contributions, emphasizing that no one should pass away without their story being recorded in writing.

He pledged to support any initiative aimed at writing and publishing the history of Zongo.

“Any book that would be written about Zongo, I would pay for the cost involved,” He said.

Other speakers included Professor Mohammed Abdul-Kabir at the Department of optometry and Visual Science at KNUST, Prof Naail Mohammed Dan Gigala, Shaibu MB Suleiman, Chief of Asawase, Sheikh Dr Amin Bonsu, Sheikh Ishaak Ibrahim Nuamah among others.