The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra – Sheikh Mustapha Ibrahim, the founder of the Islamic Council for Development and Humanitarian Services (ICODEHS) is set to appear before an Accra High Court on Friday, May 24, 2019, in contention of ownership to a Dagbani translated version of the Quran.

This was revealed by an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muhammed Baba Gbetobu, a Tamale-based cleric who is contesting Sheikh Ibrahim over the intellectual rights of the book.

Sheikh Gbetobu in an interview with the Ghanaian Muslim explained that the financial burden of publishing the literary work that was first launched in 2008 was among the reasons why he approached the ICODEHS boss for assistance in 2009.

After a series of engagements, he said he eventually submitted a soft copy of the book that included the name, signature and autobiography of the author and the details of other scholars who also revised the book.

In return, Sheikh Ibrahim was to assist him with the publishing of the book in Dubai through one Sheikh Razak.

To the disappointment of Sheikh Gbetobu however, the published work from Dubai that arrived in the country in 2010 had the details of the Author and other contributors omitted from the book.

Instead, the books had the name of the Executive Director of ICODEHS as the Author of the book.

An attempt to resolve the matter in 2016 got both parties to appear before the National Chief Imam where a resolution was reached based on an accord that additional copies would not be reprinted for distribution and commercial purposes.

According to Sheikh Gbetobu however, Shiekh Ibrahim went contrary to the terms of the agreement by reprinting copies of the book that were selling for as high as GH₵150 in the Northern region.

The turn of events he said led him to seek redress from the law court upon advice from the Police who would need a court order to take action on the printed books.

According to media reports, the 1,287-page translated Dagbani version was first published by the Zaitun Centre for Education and Charitable Services, a Muslim charitable organisation based in Tamale.

The launch which took place at the Tamale Jubilee Park was attended by the then Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris as the Guest of Honour.

The first five copies of the translated Quran were auctioned for GH¢1,500, with Alhaji Idris buying the first copy for GH¢1,000.