The Dagomba and Konkomba Islamic communities have committed to peaceful coexistence following recent clashes that resulted in at least one fatality.
The communities agreed to prioritize their shared identity as Muslims over tribal differences.
The commitment came after a peace campaign led by Sheikh Dr. Abu Dujana Ibrahim Basha, founder of Darul Tawheed Islamic Institute, alongside the National Chief Imam of Konkombas, Sheikh Umar Farouk.
The campaign, which took place over the weekend, brought together Muslim leaders from both communities to promote peace, mediate disputes, and offer support to families affected by February’s violent clashes between Dagomba hunters and Konkomba farmers in Kutumbiyili.
The violence, which escalated into a deadly confrontation, claimed the life of a middle-aged man who was shot while attempting to separate the fight.
This led to tensions between the two communities.
Speaking on behalf of the Zabzugu community, the Regent of Zabzugu, Adam Azumah, emphasized that the death of the middle-aged man was seen as a tragic, destined event, and that the community would not seek revenge.
“What God bestowed on our son, if not destiny, nothing would have happened to him,” Azumah stated, stressing forgiveness and the importance of dialogue over violence.
“The era of [using violence] to claim lands has passed. They should let us dialogue, instead of always fighting,” he urged.
Naa Azumah also reflected on the long-standing coexistence between the Dagombas and Konkombas, noting his personal commitment to education for Konkomba students, having sponsored over 30 students.
“We are all equal, we have stayed here for a longer period of time, being together,” Azumah added.
The elders of Kuntumbiyili, representing the Konkomba community, also pledged to embrace peace. They acknowledged the severe impact of the violence on their local businesses and expressed their desire to resume normal trade with the Zabzugu community. “We have not been able to transact business in Zabzugu since the incident,” they said, appealing for the reopening of their business interactions.
Sheikh Dr. Abu Dujana, speaking at the peace campaign, condemned violence and emphasized the role of Islamic teachings in promoting peace.
“We came to an agreement that there was no way we could handle this except through an intensive peace campaign to preach peace and tell them about the words of Allah and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad that preaches peace,” he explained.
Dr. Abu Dujana praised both communities for choosing the path of reconciliation, helping to ease the tensions that had simmered for weeks.
The National Chief Imam of Konkombas, Sheikh Umar Farouk, also called for lasting peace between the two communities.
Denouncing tribal tensions, he reminded both groups that their coexistence was divinely ordained. “Dagombas and Konkombas, their existence is natural, no one can separate their existence, that’s how Allah made it,” he said, urging Muslims to serve as ambassadors of peace.
Dr Abu Dujana on behalf of Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu later presented assorted food items including bags of rice and sugar, curtains of drinks and cooking oil, among others to the family of the deceased.
Source: Mumuni Yunus, Contributor
