An Analysis of the Challenges and Prospects of Convert to Islam in the Greater Accra Region

Abstract

Ghana is not only a secular state that promotes freedom of religion and association but also a pluralistic religious society. As such, conversion from one religion to the other is a common phenomenon. Converts to Islam in the Greater Accra region are very important to the development of the faith. Unfortunately, they are confronted with some challenges but there appears to be no concerted efforts from the Muslim Community to ameliorate the plight of these converts. The research attempts to investigate these challenges and highlight them to the Muslim leadership so that appropriate measures are taken to address them. To be able to do this, the views of new converts to Islam and those who had returned to their former religion from Islam were solicited. Others were A’imah (Imams) and representatives of some Islamic Institutions and Non-Governmental Organizations such as Office of the National Chief Imam (ONCI), Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jama‟ah (ASWAJ), Voice of Islam (VOI) and Direct Aid (DA). The findings of the research showed that some of the converts to Islam were physically assaulted while others were neglected by their families as a result of their conversion. Others also found it difficult to access Islamic literature. As a result of these challenges, some became apostates while others lacked basic knowledge about Islam which negatively affected their practice of Islam. Though some Islamic Institutions, Islamic NGOs and individuals intervened by providing some English Translated Qur‟ans and cash donations, their support was not enough to address all the challenges. To enable converts to Islam maintain their faith and contribute meaningfully to the development of Islam, the research suggests that, a formal fund be established to take care of their financial needs. Also Islamic Institutions and Organization need to establish training centers to teach new converts to Islam and also counsel them to enable them overcome their initial psychological uncertainties. The research is relevant because, it provides findings on the challenges of converts to Islam and how to address them as far as the development of Islam is concerned.