Sheikh Umar Urges Islamic Imams/Scholars To Start Preaching In English

Hajj Mohammed Amin Lamptey is a popular figure in Ghana. As a radio and television host, sports commentator, analyst and a leading organizer of hajj pilgrimage, he is paying his dues to the nation.

The experience he has gained is not being wasted. He is one person who has been busy on the social media helping to better the lot of the less privileged Muslim Communities in Ghana and the world over. I hope all those youth now gripped by the social media would follow the footsteps of this young man by using the internet positively instead of concentrating on 'Sakawa' or 419 tricks.

He has thrown out there on his 'Facebook' wall various issues that are of interest to me and many people interested in the advancement of Islam and Muslims in Ghana and elsewhere. As someone with circular education he cherished the move being made by the national imam Sheikh Umar Imam and his followers to demystify Islamic teachings in our mosques and public gatherings. Sheikh Umar is one of the Islamic scholars who had his education in Saudi Arabia.

Since his arrival in the country he saw the need to preach in Arabic and the local dialects in Ghana . he and other Muslim scholars from Saudi Arabia and Ghana set up the Islamic research and reformation centre that was used as a vehicle to preach in Accra and all parts of the country. the name of this organization was later changed to Ahlulsunna Wal Jamma. Even after the name change the objectives of the organization remained largely the same. The organization has succeeded in establishing many circular schools in Accra and other parts of Ghana where English Arabic are used in teaching the students.

Sheikh umar said the reason why he and his outfit established secular institutions is that Ghanaian schools use English as the language of instruction which the civil and public services use English as official language while the nation use the language as lingua franca

Hajj Mohammed Amin saw the wisdom in the move by sheik umar to emphasize on promoting secular education within Muslim communities. If Mohammed was happy with this move he was also happy that hajj umar is busy setting example by learning to speak English in public. He is known to be Arabic educated fellow with little knowledge of English.

However to the surprise of many people he has elected to deliver his sermons and speech in English. He has so far done so well in his new move. Apart from sermons he deliver in his mosque he has succeeded in delivering speeches before Muslim caucus in parliament and many functions attended by Muslims and Christians. Hajj Amin was delighted when hajj umar surprised many people at a function in Accra and he had this to say:

“I was once a witness at a program I moderated when the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu asked Sheikh Umar to deliver a key note address on his behalf and insisted the leader of the Ahlussuna in Ghana delivered it in English. Jokingly we all laughed and Sheikh Umar did just that with alacrity.

With change of trends in everything we do and the fast growing trend in communication technology, Some of our Islamic Scholars who had basic secular education but due to circumstances beyond their control concentrated only on the Islamic Education, have been encouraged, motivated and inspired by Sheikh Umar to as a matter of urgency endeavor to translate their Sermons on Fridays in English.

Investigations revealed almost about 60% of these intelligent Scholars have started already delivering their sermons in English.

May Allah grant his favors to all visionary leaders like sheikh Umar. As usual he posed the question what do you make of this great innovation? To this I say bravo to sheikh umar Ibrahim umar the head and National Imam of Ahlulsunna Wal Jamma. Again I say bravo to hajj Mohammed Amin. You have done and continue to do a yeoman's job. Take heart, you are being rewarded in our hearts. Don't relent, keep it up.

Hajj Umar Ibrahim Imam, National Imam Of Ahlul Sunna Wal Jamma In Ghana