Ghana's National Security has purportedly warned a Kumasi-based cleric named Sheik Anas Tawfiq Ibrahim AbuBakri of using inflammatory language against the National Chief Imam of Ghana in a broadcast at a Kumasi Mosque and on social media, which has the potential to disrupt the country's calm.
The alleged Sheik Ibrahim AbuBakri Tawfiq Anas allegedly called the National Chief Imam of the Republic a "bastard," among other indirect descriptions that drew the attention of security authorities due to the potential for a reaction from the Chief Imam's supporters, who mostly belong to a different Islamic sect.
According to a source, National Security has been monitoring various parts of the Asokore Mampong Municipality, particularly Aboabo, as hotspots for probable sectarian conflict and bloodshed since the early 1990s.
Cleric Sheik Ibrahim AbuBakri Tawfiq Anas, who is claimed to be famous among the young on social media owing to his good social effect, has now apologised to the National Chief Imam on a public radio station in the Ashanti Region.
He apologised, saying his attacks were "wrong, unIslamic, and unnecessary" and that they will not happen again. Following calls and conversations, the clergyman was apparently persuaded to issue a public apology.
Earlier viral claims on social media claimed that the Otumfuo's Palace intervened to order the Cleric to apologise, but investigations revealed that this was not the case.
The contentious remark was made by the young Kumasi Sheik Tawfiq Ibrahim AbuBakri Anas, who is claimed to be politically connected, following a theological disagreement with the Chief Imam.
The argument is supposed to be on the interpretation of specific Islamic verses from the Quran and Hadis.
In reaction, the saix Sheik AbuBakr Tawfiq allegedly shouted out the Chief in Hausa, which was quite offensive, given the age gap between the two.
Since then, supporters of the National Chief Imam have vowed to physically harm the young cleric in response to his criticism of the Imam.
The young cleric accused of insulting the Chief Imam is claimed to be a Suna sect member, whereas the National Chief Imam is a Tejenia sect member who is acknowledged by all parties.
The Asokore Mampong Municipal Security Council issued a warning against aggressive sermons some time ago, prohibiting preachers from both camps from using harsh language against each other whenever they take the stage. The Security Council also directed that mosque speaker volumes be reduced during sermons in order to limit transmission to Mosque attendance and their local environs.
Giving a history of violence in the Asokore Municipal between the two major sects of Islam, the Suna and Tejenia sects, both sides accuse each other of observing some customs that do not fit rigorous Islamic doctrine, such as celebrating the Prophet of Islam's birthday.
The Muslim youth of the Ashanti Region who belong to either of these two sects have been involved in brutal conflicts, with fatalities and injuries reported.
According to a national security source, the two sects have battled in Wenchi, Wa, Kumasi, Prang, Nima, Fadama, Nsawam, Tafo Kumasi, Aboabo, Atebubu, Asawase, Tamale and in 1930 in Wa involving the Ahamadia sect, which was Ghana's first intra-religious fight.