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Muslim leaders in the country have been urged to implement the provisions of the “Ummah Constitution” to help address future leadership crises that may occur within the Islamic religion.
The Ummah Constitution is a document that streamlines and guides the practice of Islam and the activities of Muslims, including a mode for the selection of Chief Imams at all political administrative levels of the country.
Speaking at the 2nd National Conference of Muslim Representatives, the President of the Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana (COMOG), Hajj Abdel-Manan Abdel-Rahman said the constitution was vital due to the rise of Muslim leadership disputes in the country.
The conference, which was held at the National Mosque in Accra on Saturday, on the theme, ‘Enhancing the Capacity of Muslim Leadership for Ghana’s Development,’ had in attendance a representative of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, regional Chief Imams, and other Muslim personalities.
The purpose of the conference was to review the Ummah Constitution and to inaugurate the Board of Trustees for the Ummah Supreme Council, Ghana (USCG).
According to Hajj Abdel-Rahman, the Ummah Constitution was a document that was capable to addressing issues related to the succession structure of various Muslim communities as it looked at some best practices around the world, particularly, the Sub-Saharan Africa.
Additionally, Hajj Abdel- Rahman expressed worry about the number of petitions it had received from individuals in various districts across the 16 regions of the country in relation to leadership disputes within the Muslim communities despite a number of court rulings.
For instance, he said, the Ho Central Mosque was locked up in 2021 by the Municipal Security Council as a result of a dispute over who occupied the Volta Regional Chief Imam position.
Hajj Abdel-Rahman, therefore, urged the leadership of the Muslim community, including regional Chief Imams to find a lasting solution to help resolve such issues to enhance the peace and security of the Muslim community and the country as a whole.
Furthermore, COMOG President bemoaned the unauthorised route that some Muslims used to travel to Mecca as he touched on issues related to the organisation of Hajj in Ghana and, therefore urged the Muslim leadership to help solve such issues.
He also urged the Muslim leadership to partner with operators in the private sector during the organisation of Hajj.
Hajj Abdel-Rahman also used the opportunity to advise the Muslim community, especially the youth, to desist from any form of political violence before, during, and after the December 7 elections.
“Let us be mindful of ourselves, our own development, ask questions, and take our own decisions. WFor us, we can not tell which way it should go, but where our innocent ones are used, it is up to us as leaders to find ways of minimising it,” he added.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY
