00:00In Al-Aju, a mostly Christian suburb of Accra, Muslims gather for afternoon prayers,
00:06an everyday scene that speaks to Ghana's remarkable interfaith harmony.
00:10Church buildings stand just meters away from mosques,
00:14and Muslims practice their faith openly without tension.
00:2030-year-old Muftar Al-Fusseini, a newly graduated doctor,
00:24meets with Ibrahim Halidu, a local leader known for promoting religious tolerance.
00:30It's an issue that resonates deeply with Fusseini.
00:34Most of my friends have been Christians, so from there we established good on their relationship.
00:40Even when I traveled out of the country too, I also met good Christians too that were friends with me.
00:46Despite we share different backgrounds, but it doesn't bring a lot of conflict among us.
00:51I tried to learn from them, they also tried to learn from me.
00:53The relationship has been perfect.
00:55I'm really grateful that Ghana is one of the most peaceful countries in which we share different views.
01:02But despite that, we are peaceful.
01:04Ibrahim regularly visits churches to encourage interfaith unity.
01:09Today, he joins a nearby congregation.
01:12The church members welcome him warmly.
01:15They invite him to speak and even offer a prayer,
01:19clear signs of Ghana's deeply rooted coexistence.
01:22I was very, very elated.
01:24I mean, the pastor came down to pray for me, I mean, pray for long life, prosperity.
01:31You know, any time you visit them and you pray for me, it is fulfilling.
01:37It is so, so, so fulfilling.
01:38So I'm so happy they pray for me.
01:41And I don't think it lightly at all.
01:43This spirit of acceptance is widespread.
01:47Christians attend Muslim events, Muslims take part in Christian gatherings, and both communities join in each other's celebrations.
01:55These interactions are also supported at the national level.
01:58Politicians and religious leaders encourage dialogue, and the national policy on religion is in the works to help protect the
02:06rights and faiths of all citizens.
02:08There is no distinction.
02:10It's just we coming together to give reverence to the same God we serve.
02:14So we don't have a system where we distinguish that here should be just for Christians and this place should
02:21be just Muslims.
02:23And then I don't think God himself allows for separation due to religion.
02:29So it's just nice that we coexist as humans to all serve the same God.
02:3328-year-old Cornelius Amewode, a close friend of Ibrahim, teaches children about religious tolerance,
02:40hoping the next generation will continue the peaceful coexistence that defines Ghana.
02:46We all believe in peace.
02:48We all have the same values, love, unity, worship, because most times the Koran 2 contains the values of love,
02:55caring for people.
02:56Yes, and the Bible also emphasizes that love for one another.
03:00So I think that is what makes us one as people.
03:02The values we have in the Bible are similar also in the Iran also.
03:06Ghana's education system includes religious studies and encourages mutual respect among children of different faiths.
03:14Ibrahim believes that strengthening coexistence will help support development in the community he serves as a youth leader.
03:23With freedom of worship protected, Muslim-Christian relations in Ghana remain a cornerstone of national peace.
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