Bole Traditional Area: Chief Imam Bans Extravagant Weddings to Promote Islamic Values

In a move aimed at preserving Islamic values and making marriage more accessible to young people, Alhaji Mohammed Iddrisu, the Chief Imam of the Bole Traditional Area in the Savannah Region of Ghana, has announced a ban on extravagant Islamic weddings that deviate from established Islamic practices. The ban, which comes into effect on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025, was the result of numerous council meetings with the Islamic clergy within the traditional area.

The decision is a direct response to a growing trend of what the Imam and the clergy deem “deviant practices” introduced by the youth, which significantly inflate the cost of weddings and make it increasingly challenging for many young people to afford marriage. These costly and non-traditional practices have become a significant concern within the community.

Specifically, the ban targets practices such as elaborate wedding receptions featuring multiple outfit changes by the bride and groom. These extravagant displays of wealth are seen as setting an unsustainable precedent and placing undue financial pressure on couples and their families.

The Imam’s directive also addresses concerns about the involvement of male beauticians dressing female brides and the incorporation of “record dance,” popularly known as “jams,” into wedding celebrations. These practices are viewed as incompatible with traditional Islamic customs and values within the Bole Traditional Area.

By banning these extravagant and non-Islamic wedding practices, Alhaji Mohammed Iddrisu and the Islamic clergy of the Bole Traditional Area hope to restore a sense of simplicity and affordability to Islamic weddings, making them more attainable for young people while upholding the values and traditions of their faith. The ban reflects a desire to protect the sanctity of marriage and ensure that financial constraints do not become a barrier to young people seeking to establish families within the community. The move is expected to spark discussion and debate within the broader Ghanaian Muslim community regarding the evolving traditions surrounding marriage.