A founding member of Ahlussunna Wal Jama’a (ASWAJ) and one of Ghana’s most respected Islamic scholars, Sheikh Ibrahim Barsha, has accepted appointment as the organization’s Interim National Imam.
The acceptance came on Friday, November 6, 2026, following Jumu’ah prayers at Masjid Al Bayan in Tamale, where Sheikh Barsha has long served as leader.
His appointment by the National Da’awa Council (NADAC) follows the removal of Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam from office earlier this week.
A Lifetime of Service
Sheikh Ibrahim Barsha—also known as Ibrahim Basha Iddris, Mallam Basha, or Sheikh Bayaan—is no stranger to pioneering work.
In 1969, he founded the Nuriyya Islamic Institute in Tamale, an institution that would become instrumental in reshaping Islamic education in Ghana. He is widely credited as the initiator of the transformation of traditional madrasas into Anglo-Arabic schools—a reform that bridged classical Islamic learning with modern educational systems.
His vision extended beyond the classroom. Sheikh Barsha is considered the pioneer behind the creation of the Ghana Islamic Education Unit, a body that has shaped how Islamic education is delivered and regulated across the country.
As a campaigner and architect of the Sunni Islamic movement in Ghana, his credentials for the interim role are unmatched.
“An Amanah Before Allah”
In a speech delivered after prayers, Sheikh Barsha framed his new role in deeply spiritual terms.
“Alhamdulillah, all praise and gratitude belong to Almighty Allah, who guides our affairs and grants us the strength to serve His religion and community,” he began.
“I accept this responsibility with humility, a deep sense of duty and a full appreciation of the demands of this office. I recognise that leadership is an Amanah (trust) before Almighty Allah and a responsibility to the people.”
A Four-Pillar Roadmap
The Interim Imam outlined a clear roadmap for his tenure, built around four priorities:
- Continuity — Ensuring the smooth running of the Association’s administration and ongoing activities.
- Reconciliation — Engaging national and regional officers, scholars, and stakeholders to promote consultation and unity.
- Institutional Strengthening — Bolstering records and administrative structures while ensuring strict adherence to the ASWAJ Constitution.
- Constitutional Succession — Working with NADAC to facilitate the selection or election of a substantive National Imam.
“We will approach each of these priorities with fairness, inclusiveness and a firm commitment to the collective interest of the Association,” he assured.
A Call for Calm
Addressing the wider ASWAJ community, Sheikh Barsha urged restraint and maturity during the transitional period.
“This transitional period calls for patience, maturity, mutual respect and strict adherence to the ASWAJ Constitution,” he said. “I encourage all members to remain calm, avoid divisive comments and actions, and work together in the collective interest of the Association.”
He also emphasized that the burden of leadership is shared.
“This responsibility is not mine alone; it is a collective trust that requires the support, cooperation and commitment of every member.”
Prayers for Healing and Stability
Concluding his address, Sheikh Barsha offered prayers for the organization and its members.
“May Almighty Allah guide our decisions, heal any divisions, strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and grant us the wisdom to move forward in peace and unity. May He make this transitional period a means of renewed commitment, reconciliation, progress and lasting stability for Ahlussunna Wal Jama’a.”
What’s Next for ASWAJ?
With Sheikh Barsha now at the helm, attention turns to the organization’s next steps. The Interim Imam’s mandate is transitional, and his stated priority is to guide ASWAJ through a constitutional process towards electing a substantive National Imam.
For now, the focus is on stability and unity—themes that have defined Sheikh Barsha’s decades of service to the Muslim community in Ghana and beyond.
About Sheikh Ibrahim Barsha
Sheikh Ibrahim Barsha is a Ghanaian Islamic preacher, scholar, and founding member of ASWAJ. He founded the Nuriyya Islamic Institute in Tamale in 1969 and serves as leader of Masjidul Bayaan. He is widely credited with pioneering the transformation of traditional madrasas into Anglo-Arabic schools and the creation of the Ghana Islamic Education Unit. He is a leading figure in the Sunni Islamic movement in Ghana.
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