Anbariya Sunni Community Announces Demise of Supreme Leader Sheikh Saeed Abubakar Zakaria

TAMALE, September 7, 2026 — The Anbariya Sunni Community in Tamale has announced the death of its Imam, Director and Supreme Leader, Sheikh Al-Hajj Saeed Abubakar Zakaria, describing him as a distinguished Islamic scholar and a faithful servant of Allah.
Sheikh Saeed Abubakar Zakaria passed away earlier on Monday, September 7, 2026, according to an official statement issued by the Anbariya Sunni Community.
The announcement was made on the express order of Sheikh Abubakar Tanko Is-haq and the Elders of the Anbariya Sunni Community.
In a statement signed by the General Secretary of the Community, Dr. Issah Yakubu Abdallah, the Anbariya Sunni Community expressed profound sorrow over the death of its spiritual leader, describing his passing as a significant loss to the Community and the wider Muslim Ummah.
“We pray that Allah forgives him, accepts his good deeds and grants him Jannatul Firdaus,” the statement said.

The Community also prayed for Allah’s strength, patience and comfort for Sheikh Saeed’s immediate family, students, followers and the wider Muslim community as they come to terms with his death.
Reported Background
Available online biographical accounts describe Sheikh Saeed Abubakar Zakaria as a prominent Ghanaian Islamic scholar and religious leader who served as the spiritual head of the Anbariya Sunni Community and led the Anbariya Islamic Institute in Tamale.
The accounts further report that he studied at the Islamic University of Madinah in Saudi Arabia, graduating in 1985 with qualifications in Islamic Law and Islamic Theology, before returning to Ghana to pursue teaching and Islamic scholarship.
He is also reported to have served as an Imam in Canada from 1997 until May 2007, after which he returned to Ghana to head the Anbariya Islamic Institute.
Publicly available biographical sources also report that Sheikh Saeed succeeded the founder of the Anbariya movement, Sheikh Yusuf Soalih Ajura, popularly known as Afa Ajura, following his death in December 2004.

However, these biographical details have not been independently verified by this publication and do not form part of the official death announcement issued by the Anbariya Sunni Community.
Tributes Pour In
News of Sheikh Saeed’s death has triggered an outpouring of grief and tributes, particularly across social media, as followers mourn the scholar and spiritual leader.
Molla Razak Ugad, in a Facebook tribute, announced the death and prayed for Allah’s forgiveness and mercy for Sheikh Saeed, asking that he be granted Jannatul Firdaus and that Allah have mercy on all departed souls.
Another follower, Afa Stonzy, described the news as heartbreaking, saying the leader of the Anbariya Sunni Community had “sadly passed away.”
He prayed that Allah would forgive Sheikh Saeed’s shortcomings, grant him Jannatul Firdaus and be pleased with him.
The Anbariya Sunni Community, in another message of mourning, prayed: “May Allah pardon Sheikh, and grant him the highest rank in Jannah.”
The message concluded with the Islamic declaration:
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un” — Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.
Burial Arrangements
The Anbariya Sunni Community has indicated that details of the burial arrangements will be announced later.
The death of Sheikh Saeed Abubakar Zakaria is expected to bring profound grief to members of the Anbariya Sunni Community and Muslims across Ghana, given his longstanding position as the Community’s Supreme Leader and Islamic scholar.
A Profound Loss to the Anbariya Community
The passing of Sheikh Saeed Abubakar Zakaria marks more than the death of an Islamic scholar and spiritual leader. For many members of the Anbariya Sunni Community, he was a teacher, guide, counsellor and father figure whose words, teachings and presence shaped the lives of generations of Muslims.
His departure leaves behind a profound sense of loss. A voice that taught, counselled and reminded people of Allah has fallen silent, leaving behind memories, lessons and a legacy of service to Islam.
Yet, in this moment of grief, the Anbariya Community and the wider Muslim Ummah are reminded to submit to the decree of Allah.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.”
Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.
May Allah forgive Sheikh Al-Hajj Saeed Abubakar Zakaria’s shortcomings, accept his good deeds, illuminate and widen his grave, make his grave a garden from the gardens of Jannah, and elevate his rank among the righteous.
May Allah reward him abundantly for his years of teaching, guidance and service to Islam, and grant him Jannatul Firdaus al-A’la without reckoning.
And may Allah replace the tears in the eyes and the sorrow in the hearts of the Anbariya Community with sabr, strength and the hope of reunion with their beloved Sheikh in Jannatul Firdaus.
May Allah grant his family, students, colleagues, followers and the entire Muslim Ummah patience and steadfastness in this painful hour.
Indeed, when a scholar departs, a light is dimmed in the community. But the knowledge, guidance and good deeds he leaves behind continue to illuminate the path of those who remain.

Filed by: Issifu Alidu Laa-Bandow//zaaghana.com// zaanewsReporter