The Central Grand Imam of Douala, Cheik Mohamad Malik Farouk, has urged Muslims to abide by the message of the Messenger Mohamad, his call for peaceful coexistence and the necessity to concentrate only on what concerns them.

January 12 is considered by Muslims as the day on which the Messenger Mohamad was put to bed in 571 A.D. A special prayer for peace on the "blessed night" of his birth held at the Douala Central Mosque in New Bell on Sunday. Followers of Mohamad from across Douala and other parts of the Littoral Region prayed Allah to shower peace and stability in Cameroon and the world.

Shortly before prayers started, Cheik Malik entreated attendees to the message of Mohamad as it is found in the Qur'an. He alluded to the Qur'anic fact that Allah sternly warns against insulting others and offending those who worship other gods.

"Surprising and lamentable things are now happening all over the world owed to proliferation of false knowledge of the Qur'an and ill-understanding of the religion of Mohamad," he said, adding that "this is the principal cause of conflicts all over the world." In clear terms, the Grand Imam firmly condemned the affront against other religions by certain Muslims across the internet. He reminded them of the Qur'an message which says "A good Muslim does not preoccupy himself with what does not concern him."

In his exaltation, Cheik Malik emphasised that peace brings harmony in the lives of citizens and in the community. "It allows for the respect and protection of fundamental rights like human rights pronounced by Mohamad during his farewell speech on Mount Arafat and also after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," he continued.

Going by their faith, a good Muslim is one who practices peace, love and tolerance. Sunday was also an occasion to call on everyone to a peaceful coexistence in Cameroon and the world. Cheik Malik urged every leader to be responsible, be a vector of peace, reconciliation, development and promoter of social justice.