Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim has called for calm and dialogue in the ongoing national debate over religious rights in mission schools, warning that confrontational tones threaten to derail constructive engagement.

Her comments come after the Supreme Court directed Wesley Girls’ Senior High School to officially respond to a suit filed by private legal practitioner Shafic Osman, who alleges that the school prevents Muslim students from practising aspects of their faith.

In a reflection on her own experience as a Muslim student at Holy Child School, Shamima Muslim said inclusivity and progress are possible when institutions listen and evolve.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, November 26, Shamima Muslim said, “We can be authentic and still be progressive. When I first got to Holy Child School in 1995, I was told the school schedule wouldn’t allow me to pray. I prayed anyway. And I attended all compulsory Mass and participated in many school activities.”

She added that the school’s environment had since improved to accommodate Muslim students.

“Years later, my cousin became the first ever Muslim Head Girl—Raahat Moomen. Today, Holy Child has a Muslim Teacher Patron for the Muslim girls. No, there are no five times daily congregational prayers, but they pray. And they fast during Ramadan.”

Shamima expressed concern about the increasingly polarised public commentary surrounding the Wesley Girls’ case.

“The tone of the current debate is worrying. We must all recognise that no one wins if we don’t allow cool heads to prevail in this matter and choose confrontation instead of dialogue,” she cautioned.

Emphasising national unity, she reminded the public that “we are first and foremost Ghanaians before anything else.”

She also commended schools that have taken proactive steps to meet the needs of diverse students.

“To Holy Child School and many others who, on their own, have recognised the needs of all members of their community—keep it up. Educating all citizens secures all of us ultimately,” she said.

The Supreme Court is currently considering allegations of religious discrimination at Wesley Girls’ SHS as part of an ongoing human rights case.

Read below Shamima Muslim’s Facebook post: