Ho central mosque temporarily closed over 'anticipated clash' among Muslim folks

Correspondence from Volta Region

The Acting Ho Municipal Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Alex Adade Yeboah has mentioned that, the Ho central mosque is currently locked due to an “anticipated clash” among the Muslims.

He said the decision to closed down the mosque was birthed after series of meetings held by the Ho Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), which he co-chaired upon having reports of Chieftancy dispute in the Zongo community.

“Just to avert an anticipated or possible clash between the two parties in this Volta regional Imamship impasse that is why the Ho Municipal Security Council took a decision that the mosque should be put under a lock,” he said.

The root of the dispute and matters arising

One Alfa Anas who served as the first deputy chief imam under the late Volta regional Chief imam, Umoro Danjiman Hamzah was subsequently installed to replace his predecessor.

But after the successful installation, another party Muniru Ali, who is said to have a connection with the late Chief Imam challenged the legitimacy of Alfa Anas.

The development was then sent to the Ho High court for justice to prevail but along the way, Alfa Anas withdrew the case from the court with an intention of using dialogue and the rules of Islamic tradition to solve the dispute.

The Chamber Chief Judge, Suhaila Mohammed, speaking on the development noted that, there has been confusion over who takes the regional Imamship for the past sixteen years but along the way, “all the Zongo tribes” decided to confirm Alfa Anas as the leader.

According to him, Alfa Anas is the right successor but not Muniru Ali because per the Islam tradition “If there is no Imam the deputy will take over, so after him (the late Chief Imam) our spiritual leaders sat down and confirmed Alfa Anas as Imam and they (Zongo tribes) all accepted him”

Despite the use of the “Islam tradition” to approve Alfa Anas, the Ali families disapproved and also installed their son, Muniru Hamzah, giving the Ho Zongo two leaders.

The landlords, the Asogli state led by Togbe Afede has already met the two parties involved and cautioned them to make sure peace prevail but not chaos on the land.

Where are they praying on Fridays?

GhanaWeb understands that there was a disorder that resulted in a verbal attack in the mosque over who leads prayers on Friday, 12 February 2021.

The Police Commander said, in other to ensure peace, the MUSEC asked the folks to submit their prayers outside the mosque whilst the issue is put before the necessary stakeholders for consultations and resolution.

Meanwhile, on Fridays, many of the Muslim folks pray in a nearby mosque or in their homes in the municipality.