How real is Islamophobia in Ghana?

Islamophobia is the fear, hatred of, or prejudice against, the Islamic religion or Muslims generally, especially when seen as a geopolitical force or the source of terrorism.

Activists pushing the narrative say Islamophobia has always existed in the Ghanaian community although on the low.

They cite the calling of Muslim women wearing Hijab as "Boko Haram" and Muslim men either beaing called "Osama Bin Laden" or "Al Qaeda" as a strong basis.

Others have foreshadowed how Christians will behave in commercial buses should a Muslim rise to preach.

Preaching in buses by pastors is very common in Southern Ghana but it is not allowed in public transports.

In many schools originally founded by the church, Muslim students are not allowed to pray or fast.

There are reports that in Wesley Girls Senior High School, Muslims are not allowed to pray and are forced to join Christians to worship. Same has been reported in Holy Child Senior High School.

Until recently, Muslims boys in St. Charles Minor Seminary Secondary School in the Northern Region were not allowed to pray on campus.

In some parts of the country, Muslim nurses are not allowed to wear Hijab to work.

On the other hand, in schools originally funded by Muslims, classes close at around 10 am to enable Muslim students attend Friday prayers (Jummah).

Muslim girls in primary, junior and secondary high schools are not allowed to wear Hijab to school or in class. Often, you will see them wear it on their way to school but when they get to the school premises, they remove it for fear of being rebuked.

In 2008, there was outcry after Mustapha Abdul, a final-year Science student, died after jumping from the fourth floor of the school's classroom block.

He landed on his head in a gutter near the block and died almost immediately as his brains gushed out.

It was later revealed that he was hiding in the classroom block after failing to attend the compulsory morning mass.

The above instances tell how Muslims struggle to maintain their identity in a country with an estimated 70 per cent Christian population.

But all is not gloom and doom.

Muslims and Christians have co-existed harmoniously for years with no record of religious violence.

Many Christians prefer to buy their Waakye or Koko from "Hajia" or "Ameriya."

There are mosques in predominantly Christian communities and churches in Zongos.

Christians join their Muslim friends to celebrate Sallah while Muslims also join them to celebrate Christmas. Such is the level of tolerance between the two groups.

However, one cannot deny the discrimination, some fueled by the state, against Muslims.

But Islamophobia? It is a no no. It does not exist... not yet.