Hardline Islamic Preacher Banned from Preaching After Insulting Yaa Naa
The King of Dagbon, His Majesty Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II, has imposed a ban on controversial Islamic preacher Sheikh Saeed Abdul Rauf, prohibiting him from preaching anywhere within the Dagbon Kingdom.
The decision follows a viral video in which Sheikh Rauf, known for his radical and inflammatory sermons, condemned the use of royal appellations associated with the Yaa Naa.
In his preaching, the cleric claimed that the King, being a mortal, had no right to use appellations that he said were reserved for Allah.
The comments drew widespread condemnation from the public, prompting swift action from the traditional authority. Earlier today, the Gukpe Naa summoned the leadership of the Anbariya Sunni Community, the sect to which Sheikh Rauf belongs, to his palace, where he officially communicated the King’s directive.
According to the Gukpegu Palace, Sheikh Rauf’s remarks against the Yaa Naa constituted the “highest form of disrespect” to the revered Dagbon Kingdom.
The palace explained that the ban was necessary to protect the sanctity of traditional authority and to serve as a deterrent to other preachers who might engage in similar conduct.
Sheikh Saeed Abdul Rauf has gained notoriety in recent years for his hardline preaching style, often condemning other Islamic scholars and sects while promoting extremist rhetoric.
He previously urged his followers to acquire weapons in preparation for what he described as a confrontation with fellow Muslims of differing sects, a statement that drew the attention of national security agencies.
Despite repeated warnings from the Yaa Naa for Islamic clerics to refrain from insults and attacks in their sermons, Sheikh Rauf has reportedly continued to flout the directive, frequently using his platform to attack other preachers.
At the meeting in Gukpegu, leaders of the Anbariya Sunni Community appeared defiant rather than remorseful, a posture that reportedly influenced the severity of the sanction imposed by the traditional authorities.
It remains uncertain whether Sheikh Rauf and his followers will comply with the ban.
In a separate video released days earlier, the preacher was heard dismissing the authority of traditional rulers, vowing to relocate to another jurisdiction within Ghana to continue what he described as his “mission.”
The ban, traditional authorities say, takes immediate effect and is intended to maintain peace, unity, and respect within Dagbon’s religious and cultural space.
