Imams Urged to Champion Peace and National Security
The Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Radio and Peace and Security Analyst, Sheikh Mohammed Ridwan Kudibawasaba, has called on Imams across the Ashanti Region to take an active role in promoting peace, social security, and national development.
Delivering the keynote address at a training programme organized by the Office of the Ashanti Regional Chief Imam for Municipal and District Imams, Sheikh Kudibawasaba said Imams are not only spiritual leaders but also vital partners in ensuring community stability and national cohesion.
He urged the clerics to bridge the gap between Imams and state security agencies such as the police, military, and local authorities through regular dialogue, trust-building, and information sharing to enhance community vigilance and early warning systems.
“Imams play a crucial role in fostering collaboration with security actors. Regular engagement promotes mutual trust and ensures early detection and prevention of potential conflicts,” he said.
Sheikh Kudibawasaba also described Imams as community security actors, particularly in areas where state presence is limited. According to him, the moral authority of Imams places them in a strategic position to mediate disputes, maintain order, and foster social cohesion at the grassroots level.
Touching on partnership with government, he encouraged religious leaders to collaborate with various state agencies in addressing internal and external security challenges.
“Internally, Imams can support government campaigns against illegal mining (galamsey) and violent conflicts. Externally, they can help counter extremist ideologies and jihadist recruitment through education and civic engagement,” he noted.
He emphasized that Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance, and justice, and urged Imams to lead by example through preaching unity, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence.
“Peace and security begin in the minbar (pulpit) and spread to the nation,” Sheikh Kudibawasaba stated, quoting the Qur’an in Surah An-Nisa verse 165 to remind Imams of their divine duty as messengers of good news and guidance.
He commended the Ashanti Regional Chief Imam and his council for organizing the programme and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote peace and development in Zongo communities and the nation at large.
