Ahlul Sunnah Wal-Jama’a (ASWAJ) National Dawah Council and National Representative Congress reacts to Sheikh Umar Ibrahim press statement
The National Dawah Council (NADAC) and National Representative Congress (NRC) of the Ahussuna Wal-Jama’a have responded to the claims of the national chief imam of Ahlussuna Wal-Jama’a Sheikh Umar Ibrahim.
It is reported that the national chief imam of ahlussuna wal-jama’a on Saturday December 16, 2023, declared that the ranking system attached to his two deputies has been abolished forever and all of them are now without any rank of preference.
According to him, sheikh Mohammed Kamil Mohammed would now be heading deputy national Imam in charge of Da’wa and education, while sheikh Munir Abddallah Taufiq deputy national Imam in charge of Administration and no deputy shall be the automatic representative of the national Imam.
The national chief Imam of Ahlussuna Wal-Jama’a in a press briefing also said his two deputies have refused to follow the constitution concerning the ASWAJ money and properties and thus spend money without any accountability.
But in a press briefing in Tamale on Sunday December 24, 2023, the leadership of National Dawah Council (NADAC) and National Representative Congress (NRC) of the Ahussuna Wal-Jama’a while disputing all his claims stressing, Sheikh Mohammed Kamil Mohammedis still the first national deputy Imam while the 2nd National Deputy Imam is Sheikh Amin Osman.
The National secretary of ASWAJ, shiekh Sulemana Ahmed Mozu, who address the media on behalf of others members, said though the ASWAJ Constitution Article 9B sub-section 1d states that the National Imam may “Deliver such statements that shall be binding to the entire ASWAJ in the country directly or through a spokesman.” But the article does not give the Imam the powers to change any portion of the constitution without due process. Most importantly he doesn’t have the powers to SELECT National Deputy Imams as it is the mandate of the National Dawah Council (NADAC) to
He further explained that, “ELECT ALL NATIONAL IMAMS as stated clearly in the same ASWAJ Constitution– Article 7C sub-section 1 “The election of the National Imam and his 2 deputies shall be done by the NADAC…”
On the issues of management of some ASWAJ properties/ finances outside the Headquarters, sheikh Sulemana Ahmed narrated that, “In contributing our quota, the REGIONAL IMAMS TOGETHER decided to contribute money through the “TIJAARA MA’ALLAH INITIATIVE” to invest in order to support the ASWAJ headquarters. The initial contribution amounted to GH¢69,000.00after which the National Imam requested for the amount to be released but we insisted it was for an investment as already agreed. After 3 years of mobilization, we realised GH¢230,000.00. We then arrived at a final consensus after several meetings and deliberations, to procure a Tipper-Truck at the cost of USD $81,000.00 corresponding to GH¢595,350.00 on credit which was paid within 1 year, upon consultation with the National Imam. Hajj Matuf had to support us with an amount of GH¢44,642.28 in order for us to secure half the amount needed to be deposited for the Tipper-truck to be released to us on credit”.
Bellow is the full statement
ASWAJ NATIONAL DAWAH COUNCIL (NADAC) /NATIONAL
REPRESENTATIVE CONGRESS (NRC) PRESS STATEMENT
THEME: SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT
Sunday, 24th December, 2023
In the Name of Allah, The Entirely Merciful, The Especially Merciful
In the esteemed presence of the National Dawah Council, District Imams, National
Representatives Assembly (NRA), Committees, National Executive Council (NEC), National
Advisory Board (NAB), Women’s Wing, Youth Coordinators, and distinguished members of both
print and electronic media, as well as our esteemed guests,
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the honourable delegation from Nigeria, led by Sheikh
Abdullahi Bala Lau, and from Togo, led by Sheikh Abdul Jalil Youndouh, our own Sheikh Iddrisu
Ibrahim Bashaa of Tamale and the National Advisory Board of Ahlussunna Wal Jama’ah led by
Alhaji Abubakar Yakubu Batalima, Jazaakumullaah Khayr for your mediation efforts. We indeed
i really appreciate it.
In this collective gathering of minds and hearts, we embark on a journey of shared purpose and
mutual understanding, guided by the principles of Islam; unity, progress, and the noble values that
define the essence of our community. May our collective endeavours serve as a beacon of
inspiration and strength as we navigate the path ahead for progress.
In seeking a “Perfect solution” for ASWAJ’s challenges, we need to build consensus and follow
the ASWAJ constitution we have all agreed to, as guided by the Quran & Sunnah;
“Allah says in the Quran “O you who believe! Fulfil (all your) obligations” [al-Maidah 5:1]
“And fulfil (every) covenant. Verily, the covenant will be questioned about” [al-Isra 17:34]
Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The Muslims are bound by their conditions, except a condition
that forbids what is permissible or permits what is forbidden.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1352). It is thus obligatory for us to honour our contracts and agreements such as our constitutions. We wish to put certain scriptures in proper context; indeed Quran 4:59 states; “O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.” In this light, this press statement is to set the records straight and also remind all Aswaj Leadership including our National Imam to adhere fully to our constitution as enjoined by the Quran & Sunnah.
Also the Hadith about obeying those in authority is not blind obedience but has to be understood in the proper context of obedience obligated as long as those in authority follow the Quran & Sunnah. This is depicted in the inaugural speech of Khalifah Sayyidina Abubakar which was also quoted by our National Imam during his 1997 inaugural speech; “O People, I have indeed been appointed over you, though I am not the best among you. If I do what is right, then help me, and if I act wrongly, then be stern in correcting me. Truthfulness is synonymous with fulfilling trust…” From the above guidance, this press statement is indeed to correct certain claims by our National Imam in his recent press statement on Saturday 16th December, 2023. We were compelled to do this publicly because several attempts to correct him privately proved futile.
Though the ASWAJ Constitution Article 9B sub-section 1d states that the National Imam may “Deliver such statements that shall be binding to the entire ASWAJ in the country directly or through a spokesman.”, this article does not give the Imam the powers to change any portion of the constitution without due process. Most importantly he doesn’t have the powers to SELECT National Deputy Imams as it is the mandate of the National Dawah Council (NADAC) to ELECT ALL NATIONAL IMAMS as stated clearly in the same ASWAJ Constitution– Article 7C sub-section 1 “The election of the National Imam and his 2 deputies shall be done by the NADAC…”
On 8th & 9th January 2022, the NADAC, per their constitutional mandate, met at Kpong in the Eastern region, upon consultation with the National Imam, to elect the 1st & 2nd deputy national
imams, after 5 years of the vacancy created upon the suspension & subsequent dismissal of Sheikh Munir in 2017.
The results of that constitutional election by NADAC in 2022 was that Sheikh Mohammed Kamil
Mohammed was duly elected as the 1st deputy National Imam & Sheikh Amin Osman as the 2nd
deputy National Imam. There’s no misconception about these 2 deputies as elected by NADAC.
Also, as noted above, it is clearly stated in Article 7C sub-section 1 of the ASWAJ constitution,
how our national Imams are elected, so no one has or will even think about fighting for any
position.
On the issues of management of some ASWAJ properties/ finances outside the Headquarters, our
response is as follows;
a) In contributing our quota, the REGIONAL IMAMS TOGETHER decided to contribute money
through the “TIJAARA MA’ALLAH INITIATIVE” to invest in order to support the ASWAJ
headquarters. The initial contribution amounted to GH¢69,000.00 after which the National Imam
requested for the amount to be released but we insisted it was for an investment as already agreed.
After 3 years of mobilization, we realised GH¢230,000.00. We then arrived at a final consensus
after several meetings and deliberations, to procure a Tipper-Truck at the cost of USD $81,000.00
corresponding to GH¢595,350.00 on credit which was paid within 1 year, upon consultation with
the National Imam. Hajj Matuf had to support us with an amount of GH¢44,642.28 in order for
us to secure half the amount needed to be deposited for the Tipper-truck to be released to us on
credit.
This truck is currently being managed by the investment-committee under the NRC. Though the National Imam was informed and asked to be one of the three signatories to the Truck-account, he declined. Despite this, on two occasions, some proceeds from this same truck-account have been
given & accepted by the National Imam to support operations at the Headquarters. This is how the
NRC is also supporting the smooth operations of work at the ASWAJ Headquarters.
Note that, the Truck-account is different from the Headquarters account; and the National Imam
declined to be a signatory to the Truck-account as indicated above.
Below are the members of ASWAJ investment committee when it was created;
1. Sheikh Dr. Ismail Saeed Adam [Kumasi]
2. Sheikh Aminu Osman [Accra]
3. Abdul Hadi Khidir [Wa]
4. Sheikh Salman Mohammed Alhassan [Accra]
5. Hajj Iddrisu Chambas Abdul-Rahman (Matuf) [Accra]
6. Hajj Yacoub Shuaib Abban [Cape Coast]
7. Sheikh Issah Osman [Tarkwa]
b) Aside from the ASWAJ Truck, some newly registered ASWAJ Companies, initiated by the
NRC, for the progress of ASWAJ are yet to start operations & the National Imam has been
officially notified through writing. The companies include:
1. ASWAJ Kausar Mineral Water Company Limited
2. ASWAJ Travel & Tour Company Limited
3. ASWAJ Security Company Limited
There may be some misconceptions out there, but from the above, we believe that no one is
attempting to discredit the National Imam.
Our responses to the rest of the issues raised in the National Imam’s press conference are as
follows;
1. Regarding the management of the ASWAJ Truck monies, the investment committee of NRC has been transparent since the truck was purchased, and even supported the Headquarters with monies gotten from the truck, and is preparing to publish an audited
account of the truck proceeds.
2. The Ranking system is enshrined in the ASWAJ constitution in Article 5B, which states:
THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (N.E.C.): This shall be made up of the
following: (1.) The National Imam, (2.) The 1st National Deputy Imam, (3.) The 2nd
National Deputy Imam (till the end)
Abolishing this or any part of the constitution without due process as enshrined in Article
18 will be unconstitutional and cannot be accepted, we respectfully submit.
Also the responsibilities of the 2 deputies are already stated in the constitution in Article
9B sub-section 2 and 3 as follows; (2.) THE 1ST DEPUTY NATIONAL IMAM. He shall;
(a.) be in charge of the day to day Financial & Administrative activities of ASWAJ. (b.)
act in the National Imam’s stead in his (the National Imam’s) absence. 3. THE 2ND
DEPUTY NATIONAL IMAM. He shall; (a.) be responsible for Da’wa and Educational
activities of ASWAJ (b). act in the 1st Deputy National Imam’s stead in his (1st Deputy
National Imam’s) absence (c.) act in the National Imam and the 1st Deputy National
Imam’s stead in the peculiar absence of both. (d.) Report directly to the National Imam.
3. We reiterate our stance that the current constitutionally ELECTED deputies are:
a. Sheikh Mohammed Kamil Mohammed; 1st National Deputy Imam
b. Sheikh Aminu Osman; 2nd National Deputy Imam
4. Representation of the Imam shall continue to be done through consultation with the
National Imam.
5. As stated earlier, the roles of the National deputies have been clearly stated in the
constitution & changes must be done through the constitutional amendment process.
6. ASWAJ meetings are largely guided by the constitution in Article 14, and it shall continue
to be done through consultations with the National Imam. 7. All ASWAJ organs shall continue to work and report as is constitutionally appropriate.
8. All regional Imams shall continue to work towards the progress of ASWAJ both locally
and nationally.
9. Our position on the need for an Amendment is that, the process as stated in the constitution
is followed by being initiated by the NRC, as stated in Article 14(a);
“This meeting shall occur at least twice a year for a period not lasting more than three
days at which all major policies/ budgets for the fiscal year/ year, as well as the
amendment of the constitution, shall be carried out.”
Finally, we wish to reiterate our position that Hajj Umar Ibrahim Imam is the National Imam
of Ahlussunnah Wal Jamaa, Ghana, the 1st National Deputy Imam is Sheikh Mohammed
Kamil Mohammed and the 2nd National Deputy Imam is Sheikh Amin Osman.
We continue to encourage consultations as Quran 42:38 states: “And those (believers) who have
responded to their lord and established prayer and whose affair is by consultation among
themselves, and from what We have provided them, they spend.” This verse highlights the
importance of consultation in decision-making and problem-solving. It emphasizes the need to
make decisions based on mutual agreement and consultation. This is indeed a means of
achieving unity, cooperation, and harmony within every community.
All ASWAJ members are entreated to remain patient and realise that these efforts of the Aswaj
Regional Imams and other executives and elders are in the service of Islam for Allah’s sake. All
members should eschew any attempt by anyone to bring tribalism into the issue of Aswaj
leadership and Dawah work.
We wish to also assure everyone that we shall continue to engage our National Imam & all those
who matter in order for us all to unite in following the Quran & Sunnah and uphold the Aswaj
constitution for consistent progress. Meanwhile we are continuing with our Dawah work as usual
in line with our published 2024 Annual program lineup. We encourage all Muslims to support to
ensure the success and progress of the Ummah in Ghana and beyond. JazaakumuLlaah Khair.
May Allah continue to bless us all, forgive all mistakes and guide us to what is pleasing to Him
alone and grant us and all departed believers His Rahma and Jannatul Firdaws.
Story By: Alhassan Yakubu |www.diamondfmonline.com |Ghana
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