The leadership of Darulhadith Institute for Islamic Studies in the Ashanti region,Kumasi have responded to the news published by the Da...
The leadership of Darulhadith Institute for Islamic Studies in the Ashanti region,Kumasi have responded to the news published by the Daily guide newspaper dated 20th May,2020 on page 13 in a press release.
They stated there is no iota of truth in the said publication.
“There is no iota of truth in the said publication and the attribution to the Sheikh “
They added: “A.R Gomda and daily guide newspaper should retract and apologize unreservedly to the Sheikh within seven days or face a court action.”
The response is as follows:
Press Release
[20th May, 2020]
Darul Hadith Institute For Islamic Studies
Aboabo Kumasi :
PO. Box KS 12688
Kumasi Ashanti Gh
Mob. 0501054744
RE: ‘RADICAL MUSLIM CLERIC INCITES YOUTH’
Our attention has been drawn to a wickedly orchestrated story on page 13 of the Daily Guide newspaper with the above caption, dated, 20th May 2020, which has subsequently been reproduced by other media organizations.
The story though in the Daily Guide, was meditated, planned and executed by A. R. Gomda, whose main agenda has been and is to - tarnish the matchless image of sheikh Anas Tawfiq Ibrahim Bakri, and by extension, the Darul Hadith Institute for Islamic Studies, and to cause revulsion for the respected Sheikh in the eyes of the general public. A. R. Gomda, a longstanding promoter of hate against the respected Sheikh, only latched onto this opportunity, and used his standing as a journalist, to further his longstanding hate course. This is nothing more than journalism of vendetta.
The leadership of Darul Hadith Institute for Islamic Studies responds to the hatched
story as follows :–
That, there is no iota of truth in the said publication, and the attributions to the Sheikh therein. We, therefore, urge everyone to disregard the entirety of the publication and treat it with the necessary condescension it deserves. This is a sad example of bad journalism which we must as a country, endeavor to eradicate from our public discourse. The publication is a frolic of the publisher's unhinged imagination and must be treated with a pinch of salt.
That, A. R. Gomda and the Daily Guide should retract and apologize unreservedly to the Sheikh within seven days or face a court action.
That, Sheikh Anas, and for that matter Darul Hadith, has always complied with the legal regime of this country over the years in his dealings. Like all other citizens, the Sheikh has acted responsibly over the years within dictates of the laws of Ghana. The attempt to drag the Sheikh's name into the mud using journalism as a smokescreen is thus, unfortunate and grotesque. Knowing the unwavering commitment of the Sheikh to speak truth to power, this could only be a case of trying to give the dog a bad name so that it can be hanged without anyone batting an eyelid. This ploy will not stand nonetheless.
Amongst other things, the reporter made the following categorical allegations against Sheikh Anas Tawfiq –
“The young man is said to have a large a large youth following aged between 10 and 19 who are gradually being radicalised, most of them residents of his mosque in the Ashanti regional capital.” The choice of wording here can clearly be seen as speculative and a repugnant concoction. A. R. Gomda and the Daily Guide should be able to provide evidence and the facts to back this allegation leveled against the respected Sheikh.
“… when he called for the deposition of the Chief Imam of the Ahlusuna Wal Jamaa sect, Sheikh Umar Imam, for giving a thumbs-up to the supreme court nominee, Justice Amadu over his performance during his vetting.” Nowhere has Sheikh Anas called for the deposition of the Imam of Ahlusunnah Wal Jama'a. Indeed, the respected Sheikh has no such power as any such call will be inconsistent with the principles and practices of theological believes of Ahlusunnah Wal Jama'a. Again, this is another wicked lie by A. R. Gomda. We dare him back his claim with evidence.
Without a modicum of shame, A. R. Gomda, in that same concocted story, made some damning allegations against our late father, Sheikh Tawfiq Ibrahim Bakri, the founding father of Darul Hadith Institute for Islamic Studies – Kumasi (may Allah be pleased with his soul). The report purports to have been quoting an interviewee who is quoted to have said - “I recalled a situation in the mid-90s when this young man’s father, now deceased, was invited to Accra by authorities and warned about his radical activities. He was warned that the authorities knew about his source of funding and warned him to stop or face the wrath of the law.” … “if today his son is treading on a similar path, there is a need for actions to be taken now. That is how Sheikh Zakzaky and Mohammed Yussif started in Nigeria.”
For the avoidance of doubt, the late Sheikh Tawfiq Ibrahim Bakri is a leader who is well-respected among his peers. He is a man of formidable accomplishments, and has served the duties of his office with dignity and honour. Sheikh Tawfiq during his days worked with the United States Embassy in Ghana and championed the construction of a community clinic in the Asokore Mampong Municipality; Sheikh Tawfiq Memorial Clinic. So an attempt to associate him and his son to the likes of the renegade Boko Haram and Shia Movement in Nigeria is very unfortunate.
A. R. Gomda and his associates should be able to provide us with the so-called authorities that invited the late Sheikh Tawfiq and warned him, and must tell us his source of funding as alleged in the story. But, If there is any Ghanaian Islamic scholar who has been criticizing the evil works of extremist groups like Boko haram, then it should be Sheikh Anas Tawfiq Ibrahim Bakri.
It is important to note that, this agenda to malign the Sheikh though a longstanding one, has come up because of his criticism of Justice Tanko, the Supreme Court nominee, whom in the opinion of the overwhelming majority of Muslims in Ghana, did a disservice to Muslims in Ghana during his vetting. As to how a criticism, however, harsh it may be, constitute an incitement to violence, only A. R. Gomda can provide the answer. We call on the management of the Daily Guide to be wary of A. R. Gomda who may ride on the enviable reputation of the paper, to pursue a self-serving and hate agenda. By this release, we want to assure A. R. Gomda and his likes, that, Sheikh Anas will not be gagged. The Sheikh is committed to the truth and shall pursue nothing but the truth without traversing the boundaries of freedom of speech as enshrined in the constitution of Ghana.
The general public should be rest assured that, the Sheikh is committed to peace and as such will not do anything to jeopardize the peace of Ghana.
“Wassalaamu alaykum warahmatullaah wa barakaatuh”
Hassan Adam
Executive Secretary
