Calls intensify for arrest of Islamic cleric over alleged incitement

Calls for the arrest of an Islamic cleric have grown stronger in Ghana following his controversial remarks urging Muslims to kill those who disrespect Prophet Mohammed. The cleric made the remarks in a widely shared video, stating that killing anyone who insulted or called Prophet Mohammed a false prophet would not be a sin and would instead gain the perpetrator a place in heaven.

The remarks have sparked public outrage, prompting members of the public to demand action from the Ghana Police Service to investigate the cleric's comments.

Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, has also urged the police to invite and question the cleric, stating that the remarks necessitate further investigation. He emphasized that while the cleric has since apologized, the comments still require scrutiny due to their potential implications for Ghana's peace and security. Sheikh Aremeyaw argued that the police should question the cleric and prosecute him if the evidence supports it.

The cleric's apology has not quelled the calls for action, as social media users have questioned why the police had not intervened against other individuals who made statements capable of causing fear and panic. Some have called for the cleric's arrest or invitation for questioning, citing previous cases involving politicians, musicians, and social media personalities who faced consequences for their statements.

Despite the controversy, the National Chief Imam's office condemned the cleric's conduct, distancing the Muslim leadership from calls for violence. The office stressed that violence cannot be justified in response to religious disagreements or offensive expressions and urged Muslims and other faiths to use lawful processes.