A group of concerned Muslims resident at Ashanti Bekwai has petitioned the National Security Minister to ensure the peaceful installation of the leadership of the Muslim community in the Municipality.
The group believes the swift intervention of the National Security apparatus would save a raging litigation before the situation escalates into a religious uprising.
According to Musah Usman, leader of the group, one Sheikh Abdul Baaki Abdul Hakeem was chosen to succeed the late Imam.
He said a faction, led by Alhaji Sualifhu Seidu Sheriff, sought an indefinite injunction on the selection of Sheikh Hakeem, thus restraining him from discharging his duties as Imam.
Musah Usman explained that after six and a half years of litigation, the Kumasi High Court, presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Hannah Taylor, upheld the choice of Hakeem by the Council of Ulamah as Imam.
The court, in delivering its judgment on February 13, 2023, further directed that the Zongo Chief accept and inaugurate Sheikh Hakeem, second defendant, as the recognised Chief Imam of the Bekwai Muslim Community.
The court also restrained the plaintiff, his agents, assigns, and workmen from further interfering with the performance of the role of the second defendant as the appointed Chief Imam of the Bekwai Muslim Community.
Justice Taylor also awarded a cost of GH¢10,000 against Alhaji Seidu Sheriff, the plaintiff.
However, the Zongo Chief and the plaintiff have not complied with the directives of the court six months on.
Some youth, according to the leader of the concerned group, are increasingly becoming enraged, because of the stalemate in resolving the impasse.
In the face of the situation, the group is calling on National Security and relevant bodies and other stakeholders, including the Minister of Justice and Attorney General and the Minister of Interior, as well as the Inspector-General of Police, the Office of the National Chief Imam, the National Peace Council and the Paramount Chief of Bekwai to intervene in the impasse.
The petition has also been served on the Member of Parliament for Bekwai, the Bekwai Municipal Security Council, Regional Council of Zongo Chiefs, and Bekwai Council of Zongo Chiefs to resolve the misunderstanding.
