ASWAJ Regional Imams reject NEC decision to suspend Sheikh Kamil
Accra: The leadership dispute within the Ahlussunnah Wal Jama’ah (ASWAJ) has intensified, with a group of Regional Imams rejecting a decision by the National Executive Committee (NEC) to adopt the recommendations of a disciplinary committee concerning the Eid-ul-Adha incident.
In a public notice dated July 28, 2026, and signed by 13 regional imams, the group disclaimed a July 16 letter which communicated the outcome of an enquiry into the Eid al-Adha incident of May 27, 2026.
According to the regional imams, the letter lacked constitutional authority and should not be recognised by members of the organisation or the general public.
The Regional Imams argued that Article Seven (7)(c) of the ASWAJ constitution vests the authority to elect, suspend or remove a national imam solely in the National Da’awa Council.
They further maintained that Article Nine (9), Section B (1), (2) and (3), which outlines the functions of the National Executive Committee, does not empower the Arbitration and Disciplinary Committee to suspend or dismiss a national imam.
“We therefore call on all members of Ahlussunna Wal Jama’a and the general public to disregard the said letter, as it does not reflect the constitutional procedures and authority established under the Constitution of Ahlussunna Wal Jama’a,” the Regional Imams stated.
However, the NEC had earlier defended its actions.
In a resolution adopted on July 16, 2026, the NEC said it had considered recommendations contained in a report submitted by the ASWAJ Disciplinary and Arbitration Committee.
According to the NEC, the report, dated July 8, 2026, was submitted to the committee on July 9, 2026, after investigations into the Eid-ul-Adha incident.
The NEC described the committee’s recommendations as “laudable and timely” and said they would help restore “the dignity, valour and sanctity of ASWAJ”.
The committee further resolved to adopt the report as a working document and approved all its contents to have a binding effect.
The resolution was signed by National Imam Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam, “Deputy National Imam”, Sheikh Munir Abdallah Tawfik, Financial Secretary Sheikh Hussein Abdul Rahman, Deputy Financial Secretary Amadu Zulkarnain Mohammed, and non-portfolio members Sheikh Arimiyah Jibril Salimudeen, Sheikh Khidr Idris Adam and Sheikh Ishak Idris Larry.
It has been reported that the Disciplinary and Arbitration Committee had cited the first deputy imam, Sheikh Kamil Mohammed Kamil, for insubordination and, for that matter, recommended his suspension from the position.
It would be recalled that Sheikh Hajj Umar, National Imam of ASWAJ, boycotted the recent Eid ul-Adha prayers when his first deputy led the prayer session that was witnessed by former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at the forecourt of the State House.
The disagreement exposed deeper divisions over leadership legitimacy, constitutional interpretation and governance within the Muslim sect.
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, has since appealed to the feuding factions to pursue dialogue and reconciliation, describing the Eid-day confrontation as regrettable and urging members to uphold unity and peaceful coexistence.
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