Prohibition Of Sports Betting Among Muslims - Final Production

In recent times, the number of people engaging in sports betting activities have significantly increased due to factors such as media advertisement and accessibility to these services online

                                              
                                     A photo of a billboard advertising betting

Due to this mass involvement sports betting has become a norm in the society however, did you know that engaging in sports betting activities is regarded as a taboo in Muslim communities?

Although sports betting has been criticized by various religions it appears that the Islamic religion has taken the fight against betting more seriously.

The National Chief Imam, Osman Nuhu Sharabutu who is the leader of the Islamic faith in Ghana has sponsored the mounting of billboards at various parts of Accra to discourage Muslims from engaging in what he has described as an evil act.

                             

                                                
                                          A photo of the Chief Imam’s billboard

Despite massive campaigns by the National Chief Imam and other clerics of the Islamic faith, some Muslims continue to engage in betting activities as betting centers are constantly filled with people.

                                         

                                      
                             A photo of a betting center at Nima filled with people                       

                         

This seems to indicate that the message being preached by the Islamic leaders have fallen on deaf ears.

In an interview with some Muslim youths in Nima, some stated that they continue to engage in betting activities since they are no jobs for them and it’s their only means of putting food on the table for their families. For some Muslims however, they were compelled to stop engaging in betting activities after losing huge amounts of money and valuable properties.

A cleric of the Islamic Research Institute, Sheikh Abdul Zakaria says such misfortunes are simply warnings and insists that those who engage in betting will incur the wrath of Allah despite their justification.

                         

Sheikh Zakaria explaining the cost for engaging in betting for Muslims

Would these warnings from Islamic leaders deter Muslims from engaging in betting activities? Only time will tell but for now betting companies will continue to fill their pockets as more people keep patronizing their services.

By Jonathan Bright Kwaw