Sheikh Umar defends leadership amid deepening ASWAJ crisis
Accra: Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam has rejected attempts to remove him as National Imam of Ahlussunnah Wal Jamaah (ASWAJ), insisting that no individual would take over his position through force.
Addressing a press conference at the ASWAJ National Headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, November 10, Sheikh Umar attributed part of the crisis to what he described as an attempt by a former Ashanti Regional Imam to position himself as the First Deputy National Imam.
“He just wants to come by force and occupy, and I’m saying this will never happen,” he said.
Sheikh Umar also recounted disagreements over funds collected on behalf of ASWAJ in 2018 and 2019, alleging that the money was not paid into the organisation’s accounts despite repeated requests.
He added that, he was later informed that the money would be used to purchase a tipper truck.
“In 2018, after everything that was collected through the length and breadth of this country, it was not brought to the coffers of Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a here,” he said.
Sheikh Umar said he accepted the arrangement on the understanding that the vehicle would belong to ASWAJ and that its earnings would be paid into the organisation’s account.
“The tipper truck belongs to Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a. So whatever the tipper truck will be doing, the money should come into the coffers of Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a,” he said.
He alleged that those managing the truck refused to remit its proceeds to the organisation, prompting him to ask them to take it away.
Sheikh Umar said the disagreements over the funds and the vehicle informed his decision to seek the removal of the individual, believed to be Sheikh Kamil from his position as deputy Imam in 2020.
He called on Muslim leaders to uphold trustworthiness and accountability in managing contributions made to religious institutions.
“Every day we collect Fisabilillah. But you can’t see where the Fisabilillah has been invested in,” he said, urging leaders to ensure that such contributions supported education, orphans and other community needs.
Dispute over funds and truck
The Imam’s allegations have brought renewed attention to the Tijara Ma’allah project, which has featured in previous disagreements over the management of ASWAJ funds.
In August 2026, the regional imams of ASWAJ accounted for the project, disclosing that it raised GH¢297,675 by the end of 2021.
The regional imams said the funds had been invested in a truck to generate sustainable income for the organisation.
Read the regional imams’ account of the Tijara Ma’allah project.
Dispute over deputy positions
The leadership crisis also involves disagreements over the status of Sheikh Mohammed Kamil Mohammed, the First Deputy National Imam, and the authority to make appointments to national positions.
In November 2025, delegates at ASWAJ’s 16th National Representative Congress reaffirmed Sheikh Kamil as First Deputy National Imam and elected Sheikh Mohammed Amin Osman Tanko as Second Deputy.
However, Sheikh Umar subsequently rejected Sheikh Kamil’s election, arguing that the congress had been held without his permission.
Read the report on Sheikh Umar’s rejection of Sheikh Kamil’s election.
The disagreement over Sheikh Kamil’s position intensified in July 2026 when he was notified of his suspension as the outcome of a disciplinary enquiry into an incident during the Eid-ul-Adha celebrations on March 27 that led to Hajj Umar boycotting prayers.
In a letter dated July 28, 2026, his solicitor, Mr Hans E. Kofiadde, rejected the purported suspension, challenging the disciplinary committee’s jurisdiction and the constitutional basis of the process.
Sheikh Kamil maintained that he remained the duly elected First Deputy National Imam and would continue performing his constitutional duties.
The solicitor also called for the withdrawal of the suspension to create room for reconciliation.
Read Sheikh Kamil’s response to his purported suspension.
The leadership differences took another turn on September 15, 2026, when Sheikh Umar announced two acting National Deputy Imams: Sheikh Munir Abdullah Tawfiq and Sheikh Muhammad Awal Abdullah Hafiz.
The appointments were announced on his behalf by Sheikh Salman Mohammed Alhassan, Chairman of the National Representative Assembly (NRA), at a press conference.
The two were not designated First or Second National Deputy Imams but were to perform duties assigned to them by the National Imam.
The announcement did not indicate that the existing First and Second Deputy Imams, Sheikh Kamil and Sheikh Amin Osman Tanko, had been removed or replaced.
However, a statement attributed to ASWAJ General Secretary Yacoub Shuaib Abban said the National Executive Council, the National Da’wah Council (NADAC) and the National Congress had not approved the appointments.
“The National Executive Council (NEC), the National Dawa’a Council (NaDaC), and the National Congress have not made any such appointments,” the statement said.
It urged members and the public to disregard the announcements, insisting that leadership positions should be determined through the organisation’s constitutional processes.
Read the report on the new ASWAJ leadership appointments.
NADAC removes Sheikh Umar
The leadership dispute escalated on November 4, 2026, when NADAC declared Sheikh Umar removed as National Imam following a vote of no confidence.
A resolution issued by the Council said 21 members voted in favour of the motion, while four members were absent. It cited Article 11(3) of the ASWAJ Constitution as the basis for the decision.
NADAC subsequently declared the office vacant and directed arrangements for the election of a substantive National Imam.
The following day, the Council appointed Sheikh Ibrahim Baasha, the Northern Regional Imam and a founding member of ASWAJ, as Interim National Imam, pending further notice and the appropriate constitutional processes.
Read NADAC’s decision to remove Sheikh Umar.
Read the report on Sheikh Baasha’s appointment as interim National Imam.
However, Dr. Mohammed Bashir Adam, Chairman of NADAC, subsequently challenged the removal, saying he had neither convened nor authorised the meeting at which the decision was made.
In a disclaimer issued on November 5, Dr Adam disputed the authority of the signatories to remove the National Imam and also raised concerns about the court proceedings involving the leadership dispute.
He called on members and the public to disregard both the removal and the appointment of Sheikh Baasha.
Read NADAC Chairman’s challenge to Sheikh Umar’s removal.
NRA reaffirms Sheikh Umar’s leadership
At Tuesday’s press conference, Sheikh Salman Mohammed Alhassan, Chairman of the NRA, read a separate statement reaffirming Sheikh Umar as the organisation’s legitimate National Imam.
The statement described Sheikh Umar as the leader chosen when the organisation was established and maintained that he remained its legitimate head.
It identified trustworthiness, or Amanah, as a fundamental requirement of leadership, saying no reform initiative could succeed where confidence had been eroded.
On efforts to resolve the leadership differences, Sheikh Salman said reconciliation should be guided by justice, the Quran, the Sunnah and the ASWAJ Constitution.
“Reconciliation is not merely the meeting or signing of an agreement. It’s a comprehensive process,” the statement said.
It maintained that dialogue should not undermine Sheikh Umar’s position, adding, “Any dialogue that seeks to denigrate our Imam will never be countenanced.”
The statement also called for ASWAJ to maintain its independence from partisan political interests while acknowledging the right of individual members to participate in politics.
On the legal dimension of the dispute, it referred to court proceedings concerning Sheikh Umar’s da’wah activities and occupation of the organisation’s office, saying the matter remained before the court.
It concluded that the doors of reconciliation remained open, provided the process was founded on justice and trustworthiness.
The press conference was held under the theme, “Bridging the Past and the Future of Ahlusunnah Wal Jamaah in Ghana,” amid continuing disagreements over the organisation’s leadership and constitutional governance.
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