Course urges Islamic leaders to drive community development beyond the mosque

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

The University of Ghana has organised a special training programme to help Imams better respond to modern leadership and development challenges in Muslim communities.

The three-day course, titled 21st Century Imamship, was organised by the School of Arts through the Department for the Study of Religions and held from December 12 to December 14.

It brought together Imams and Muslim chiefs from different communities and focused on improving their leadership skills using Islamic principles and practical approaches to social change.

Coordinator of the programme, Dr Harun Zagun Saeed, said the course was designed to strengthen the capacity of Imams to lead positive change and address development issues affecting their communities.

Participants were trained on topics such as leadership in Islam, managing change, the role of women in community development, and re-examining some Qur’anic interpretations that have previously slowed development efforts.

Dr Zagun explained that Muslim chiefs were included because of their strong influence at the grassroots level, adding that the university plans to make the course a regular programme held every three months.

The Municipal Chief Imam of Adentan, Sheikh Mohammed Mutawakil Abubakar, described the training as an eye-opener, saying it reminded Imams that real community change starts with self-improvement and active involvement beyond the mosque.

Source: Ghanaian Times