The National Imam of Ahlu-Sunnah Wal-Jamaah (ASWAJ), Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam, has urged Ghanaian Muslims to act responsibly in marriage and family life, warning against marrying “by heart” and giving birth “by heart” without the capacity to provide for children.

The respected cleric and author of "Investment In Islam and Spending In Allah's Way" gave the advice on Friday when he led the dedication of a newly constructed mosque and resource centre at Abeka, Accra.

The imposing edifice, located behind the Abeka Market, was built by the Kuwaiti humanitarian organisation, DirectAid, at a cost of GH¢3 million.

Sheikh Umar, who was the guest of honour, cut the ribbon to open the mosque alongside Mr Sami Henedak Ahmed, Country Director of DirectAid, in the presence of a large gathering of worshippers, elders, and youth.

In his address, the cleric counselled Muslims to invest in their faith and in their wellbeing, stressing that irresponsible marriages and unchecked childbirth were contributing to rising crime and insecurity across West Africa.

“We Muslims must wake up. Don’t marry by heart and give birth by heart”, he said, urging Muslims to marry one and give birth to at most three children so they can take care of them.

According to Sheikh Umar, the Qur’an says you can marry two, three, or four, but only if you are capable, explaining that if not, marry one instead of bringing forth children one cannot look after, for when they grow up with no knowledge, no skills, and no schooling, they become criminals.

He said what we are seeing in Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in the name of Islam is not Islam – they are criminals with no faith.

DirectAid’s support

According to Mr Ali Abdul Salam Ali, a director of DirectAid, the one-storey project took nearly two years to complete and will serve as both a house of prayer and a resource centre for the Abeka Zongo community.

The chairman of the building committee, Mr Dawuda Zakaria, described the mosque as a “fortress against poverty, addiction, ignorance and division.”

He emphasised that it would also serve as a hub for learning, healing, and community renewal.

“This mosque is more than a place of prayer. It is a centre for rebuilding the moral fabric of our society,” he said.

“To the youth of our community – you are the heartbeat of this project. You did not wait for change; you became the change.”

Mr Zakaria also reminded congregants of the Prophet Muhammad’s teaching that “cleanliness is half of faith,” urging worshippers to keep their homes, streets and hearts clean as part of their devotion.

He, on behalf of the community, expressed gratitude to DirectAid for its generosity, and also thanked community leaders for their wisdom and support, while praising the youth whose labour and prayers he said contributed to the completion of the project.