According to a recent documentary dubbed “The Horrors of Witchcraft Accusation,” produced by Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of ApexnewsGh, the Upper East Regional Chief Imam Sheikh Umar Yussif Imam has raised concerns about the credibility of those engaged in witchcraft accusations that often result in lynching. Sheikh Umar Yussif emphasized that taking the law into one’s own hands is condemned in the Quran.
According to the Sheikh, “Our Holy Prophet acknowledges the existence of witchcraft, but we must not resort to vigilante justice. We have institutions such as the police service, chiefs, and religious leaders to handle such matters. How can we accurately measure someone’s supposed witchcraft? It is impossible. The Quran strongly condemns individuals who take the law into their own hands and kill others over baseless accusations.”
Sheikh Umar Yussif further emphasized that even if someone is accused of witchcraft, they should not be killed. Instead, they could be banished from the community or dealt with by the chief. He stated, “Continuing such measures is preferable to lynching any accused person.”
The Chief Imam highlighted that no one has the right to take another person’s life, and those who engage in killings should themselves be punished accordingly. He noted that under Islamic teachings, if someone kills another person, they must be killed as well. Similarly, if someone removes another person’s eye, their own eye should be removed. Therefore, lynching individuals based on accusations is not only morally wrong but also punishable.
Sheikh Umar Yussif believes that the government should play a vital role in ensuring the safety and welfare of the elderly in society. He referenced Western countries and the Arab world, where specific facilities are built for the aged, and the government provides them with a registration identity number for monitoring purposes. Additionally, the government allocates funds for their upkeep and ensures they are provided with meals three times a day.
Consequently, Sheikh Umar Yussif suggested that if the government genuinely cares for the elderly, it should take a strong stance and announce severe consequences for those found guilty of lynching or killing the aged. This would serve as a deterrent and help protect vulnerable members of society.
Meanwhile, the Upper East Regional Chief Imam Sheikh Umar Yussif Imam has expressed his concern over the credibility of witchcraft accusations leading to lynching. He has called for adherence to the Quran’s teachings, emphasizing the need to involve authorities and institutions in handling such matters. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of government intervention in safeguarding the elderly and suggested harsh penalties for those involved in acts of violence against them.
Meanwhile, the documentary was sponsored by MRG with support from MPEC
Source: Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
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