Osman Nuhu Sharubutu

Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu (born 23 April 1919) is a Ghanaian Islamic cleric who currently serves as the Chief Imam of Ghana,[2][3][4][5] as well as a member of the National Peace Council. He was first appointed as the Deputy Regional Chief Imam in 1974 after a lengthy discussions among tribal chiefs, academics, Islamic scholars, and religious personalities. During this period he deputized his cousin, Imam Muhammed Mukhtar Abbas, who succeeded his father. He is also the founder of the Dr. Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu Education Trust Fund (The SONSETFund) and the Islamic Peace and Security Council of Ghana (IPASEC).[6]

Osman Nuhu Sharubutu
Sheikh Sharubutu
Personal
Born (1919-04-23) 23 April 1919
Old Zango, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
ReligionIslam
NationalityGhanaian
RegionWest Africa
DenominationTijaniyyah[1]
Occupation
Websitewww.ipasecgh.org

Early life

Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu was born to Nuhu Sharubutu and Hajja Ayishatu Abbass at Accra cow-lane in April 1919.[7][8]

Sharubutu started his education at home from his father during the day and with his mother at night.[7] Osman was sent to a new learning environment by his father after seeing his devotion for books and knowledge. He was taken to the Kumasi and there became his learning destination. He was taught by Abdullah Dan Tano. He went through Arabic Grammar, Arabic Literature and Texts, Islamic Jurisprudence and Hadiths.[9]

After his studies in Kumasi, he devoted his time in teaching the Muslim youth who want to become Islamic thinkers and scholars. Osman continued the pursuit of knowledge even as a teacher himself.[8]

Appointment

In 1974, Sharubutu was appointed the Deputy Regional Chief Imam of Ghana after discussions were held among Islamic personalities etc.[8]

His appointment was done in consideration of his dedication to teaching Islam. He turned down the offer made to him but he was forced by some Muslim Chiefs to give it a thought.[9]

In 1993, he was appointed the National Chief Imam of Ghana for the Muslim Communities in Ghana.[9]

Later life

Sharubutu turned 100 on April 23, 2019.[10] On 3 March 2021, he received the COVID-19 vaccine at his residence at Fadama, a suburb in Accra.[11][12]

In March 2021, Sharubutu praised the chief of Ejura for settling a dispute between the Imam of Ejura and the Zongo Chief. He urged the two groups to unite and advised them to be peaceful in the community.[13]

In May 2021, Godfred Dame stated that Sharubutu plays an important role in ensuring the country is a beacon of human rights in Africa. He was together with Imoro Tanko, Akpene Ziwu and others.[14] He urged the Chiefs and people of Akuapem to embrace peace and bury their differences.[15]

On 16 July 2021, he led the first Jummah prayer in the Ghana National Mosque located in Kanda, a suburb of Accra.[16]

Awards and recognition

In November 2020, an ultra-modern sports complex that was built in his community New Fadama, was named after him.[17] Former president Kufour claimed Osman deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution to the development of Ghana.[18]

In December, he presented an award for being the 'Best Zongo Minister and Muslim Politician for the year 2019/2020 to Mustapha Hamid who was the Minister for Inner Cities and Zongo Development.[19][20][21][22][23][24][25]

Since 2015, a football tournament for Zongo communities named the Ramadan Cup also the Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup is organized in his honor. It serves as a way of promoting peace and unity within the Zongo (Muslim) communities in Ghana as its tagline reads ‘Bringing the Zongo Community Together’.[26]

Philanthropy

In August 2022, Osman constructed and commissioned a mosque and an Islamic school at Ablekuma-Joma in the Greater Accra Region.[27][28][29]

See also

References
  1. 100 years of living: What to know about Ghana's Chief Imam, Pulse.com.gh, 2019, retrieved 2 March 2021
  2. "National Chief Imam commiserates with Jallo fraternity in Prang - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  3. "Ramadan "Feed The Ummah" project team pays a courtesy call on national chief Imam - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  4. "Eid-ul-Fitr: Remain disciplined, obey Covid-19 protocols, give to the needy - National Chief Imam urges Muslims - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  5. "Wesley Girls: We'll cooperate with authorities to bring finality to the impasse – Chief Imam". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  6. Biography of the National Chief Imam Sheikh Dr Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, Graphic Online, 2019, retrieved 2 March 2021
  7. "Biography of the National Chief Imam Sheikh Dr Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu". Graphic Online. 4 June 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  8. "Chief Imam turns 101 today". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  9. "Chief Imam turns 101 today". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  10. "Throwback as Chief Imam turns 100 years". www.ghanaweb.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  11. "National Chief Imam, Islamic leaders take COVID-19 vaccine". Graphic Online. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  12. "National Chief Imam calls for cooperation as he takes Covid-19 jab - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  13. "National Chief Imam commends Ejurahene for settling Ejura Zongo dispute". Graphic Online. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  14. "Chief Imam plays an important role in Ghana being beacon of democracy, human rights in Africa - Attorney General - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  15. "Bury the hatchet and embrace peace - Chief Imam rallies warring camps in Akuapeman - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  16. "National Mosque complex opens". Graphic Online. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  17. "Dr. Bawumia commissions Sheikh Sharubutu Sports Complex". Graphic Online. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  18. "Chief Imam deserves Nobel Peace Prize – Kufuor". myinfo.com.gh. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  19. "Mustapha Hamid awarded Best Minister and Muslim Politician of the Year". myinfo.com.gh. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  20. "Give us violent-free elections - Chief Imam urges EC". Graphic Online. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  21. "National Chief Imam urges Muslims to adhere to ban on religious gathering during Ramadan". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  22. Alhaji alhasan abdulai (8 August 2013). "Lets Emulate The Life of The Paragon of Virtue -Sheikh Dr Usman Nuhu Sharubutu National Chief Imam of Ghana". VibeGhana. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  23. "Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu mourns Mills". SpyGhana. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  24. Muhammed Suraj Jawando (24 February 2011). "PRESS RELEASE BY HIS EMINENCE THE NATIONAL CHIEF IMAM OF GAHNA, SHEIKH DR. OSMANU NUHU SHARUBUTU". ModernGhana. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  25. Ghana News Agency (26 July 2012). "Protect the principles of Islam – Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  26. "Ashaiman lifts Chief Imam Cup". GhanaWeb. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  27. "Bawumia hails Chief Imam's contributions to education as he commissions his Mosque and school". GhanaWeb. 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  28. "Chief Imam builds school, mosque for Ablekuma-Joma". Graphic Online. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  29. "Bawumia Hails National Chief Imam's Contributions To Education As He Commissions His Mosque And School". www.presidency.gov.gh. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
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