Concerns have been raised over the handling of a viral video in which a Muslim cleric is alleged to have called for violence against a person accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad.
In the video cited in the briefing, the cleric is alleged to have called on his listeners to “cut off his head” and “behead him”, while suggesting that anyone who carried out the act would go to heaven and should not fear arrest.
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The comments have sparked concerns about whether the appropriate authorities have taken action against the cleric for allegedly inciting violence.
The cleric later apologised following public backlash. However, according to the briefing, his apology did not amount to a rejection of the teaching itself. He reportedly explained that the teaching was not considered wrong within Islam but could not be applied in Ghana because the country has its own laws.
The briefing contrasts the handling of the incident with the arrest and remand of a Christian prophet who had made a “rain prophecy”. It questions why the Muslim cleric was allegedly allowed to remain free for more than a week after the video went viral.
The concerns have also drawn attention to the responsibility of the Ghana Police Service and other state institutions to respond to statements that could potentially encourage violence, regardless of the religious identity of the person involved.
The briefing argues that failure to act against such rhetoric could create the perception that individuals can make inflammatory statements without facing consequences.
