Accra, (Greater Accra) 14 Sept.,

The National Council of Muslim Chiefs, the Federation of Muslim Councils and the Advisory Committee to the National Chief Imam, today condemned the installation of Hajji Umar Ibrahim Imam as National Chief Imam. At a news conference in Accra, Alhaji Labran Mohammed Ibrahim, secretary of the National Council of Muslims Chiefs read a speech signed by the three Muslim organisations condemning the installation. Alhaji Ibrahim said a group of Muslims who calls itself Ahlu- Sunna Wal-Jama-At on August 30,1977 organised and installed Hajji Imam of the Islamic Research and Reformation Centre at Nima as National Chief Imam. He said the action was at variance with Islamic principles since there is only one National Chief Imam, in the person of Sheik Usuman Nuhu Sharubutu, who was appointed by the Council of Muslim Chiefs. He explained that the traditions and procedures for the appointment and installation of Imams in the Ghanaian Muslim community were not adhered to. Alhaji Ibrahim said the level of unity and stability that Muslims in the country have achieved should not be allowed to be eroded by some "faceless and negative fundamentalists" who are working to ridicule the status of the National Chief Imamship, a symbol of Muslim Unity in Ghana. He said a similar situation led to violent clashes last year, resulting in loss of lives and property at Atebubu,Wenchi, Akim Oda and other parts of the country. " It is very important to state that we, the Council of Muslim chiefs, Regional and District Chief Imams, Council of Elders, the Muslim Conference and Muslim Council of Ghana view the installation with grave concern because of the negative implications it has for our unity". Alhaji Ibrahim urged Hajji Imam not rpt not to hold himself out as Imam in any part of Ghana and he should abide by the immutable principles of Islam and try to live in peace with all Muslims and fellow Ghanaians. Prof. Baba A.R. Braimah of the Department of Religions, University of Ghana, Legon, and a member of the Advisory Committee to the National Chief Imam who chaired the meeting, called on the government to take the necessary action to nib "this ugly development" in the bud to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.