Presidential Coordinator for Zongo and Inner-City Development condemns calls for violence over insults of Prophet Muhammad

Alhaji Baban Lami Abu Sadat, Presidential Coordinator for Zango and Inner-City Development, has condemned inflammatory religious preaching by a self-proclaimed Islamic preacher.

He described such calls for violence as irresponsible and dangerous, stressing that religious disagreements or perceived insults must never be used as justification for taking the law into one’s own hands.

Alhaji Abu Sadat made the condemnation in response to a video widely circulated on social media in which the preacher called on Muslims to kill people who insult Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Speaking at the meeting of the Muslim Women Teachers Association Conference at Ho in the Volta Region, he called on Muslims to uphold the peaceful teachings of Islam and to use dialogue, wisdom and the appropriate legal channels in addressing matters considered offensive to their faith.

His condemnation comes against the backdrop of a statement by the Ahlussunna Wal Jama’a (ASWAJ), which has also rejected calls for violence against people accused of insulting the Prophet.

In its statement, ASWAJ described such calls as unacceptable and contrary to the peaceful teachings of Islam, reminding Muslims that nobody has the right to take the law into their own hands. It urged that perceived insults or provocations be handled calmly, wisely and through the appropriate legal channels.

The organisation further called on imams, scholars, preachers and teachers to exercise wisdom and responsibility when addressing sensitive religious issues, stressing the importance of good character, patience, tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

ASWAJ also appealed to Muslims and the wider public to avoid sharing, reposting or reacting to provocative materials in ways that could heighten tensions, while encouraging the appropriate authorities to deal with offensive or unlawful statements in accordance with Ghanaian law.

The statement noted that religious leaders must recognise the influence of their words, which can either calm a situation or make it worse.

The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has also condemned the cleric’s warmongering message, reinforcing calls for restraint, religious tolerance and the preservation of Ghana’s peace.

The condemnations come at a time when religious leaders and stakeholders are emphasising the need to protect Ghana’s longstanding reputation for peaceful coexistence among people of different religious backgrounds.

Ghana has, over the years, remained an oasis of peace in the West African sub-region that has witnessed religious intolerance, communal conflicts and violent extremism, making the preservation of its interfaith harmony a collective responsibility.