Accra: Leadership of Ahlusunnah Wal Jama’a Ghana (ASWAJ) has formally apologised to former vice president Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for the chaotic scenes that nearly disrupted Eid prayers on Wednesday.

In a leaked letter signed by Ahmed Swallah Dabre, the Coordinator of the ASWAJ Eid committee and addressed to the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, the sectarian group said it acknowledged that its actions were inappropriate and disruptive to the solemnity of eid prayers as well as the dignity of the office as a former Vice-President of the republic.

“Nothing justifies such an unfortunate incident, and we take full responsibility. Please know that ASWAJ holds you and your office in the highest esteem. It was never our intention to cause distress or embarrassment to you personally, to the Muslim community gathered, or to the noble occasion itself.

“On behalf of the National Executive Committee and the entire hierarchy of Ahlussunna Wal-Jama’a, ASWAJ, I write to offer our sincere and unreserved apology for the unfortunate incident that occurred at the Ahlussunna Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra on Wednesday, 27th May, 2026,” the letter read.

On Wednesday, Sheikh Hajj Umar Ibrahim, the national Imam of the Ahlussunnah wal Jama’a Ghana (ASWAJ), a dominant sectarian group, boycotted Eid prayers after failing to prevent his deputy from leading the Eid prayers.

The attempt to prevent Sheikh Kamal Mohammed, the first deputy imam, from leading the congregation nearly marred the occasion, which was momentarily chaotic, causing the security personnel to intervene at the forecourt of the statehouse.

The Sunni Imam had wanted Sheikh Mohammed Awal, the acclaimed youth leader of the group, to lead the congregational prayer, a decision that was opposed by ardent supporters of the deputy imam.