A Historical and Community Portrait of the Zongo People and the Haske Rasuloolah Society of Chicago

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Origins & History of the Zongo People & the Name “Haske”

The term “Zongo” (from the Hausa for “camp” or “walled community”) denotes the Muslim quarters that sprang up in southern Ghanaian towns from the 15th century onward, settled by traders, scholars, and pilgrims of Hausa, Fulani, Zabarima, and Mamprusi descent. These enclaves became hubs of Islamic learning, trans-Saharan commerce, and cultural fusion, where Qur’ānic schools, Friday mosques, and life-cycle rites thrived. Into this tradition steps the word Haske—a Hausa term meaning “light,” “illumination,” or “enlightenment.” By adopting Haske Rasuloolah (“Light of the Messenger”), the Society signals its mission to bring the spiritual and social “light” of the Zongo heritage into the lives of Ghanaian-Muslim immigrants in Chicago. In essence, Haske embodies the aspiration to shine communal guidance and faith-based support across the diaspora, just as the original Zongo quarters served as beacons of Islamic culture in Ghana.

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Formation of the Haske Rasuloolah Society of Chicago

By the mid-1970s, graduates of Ghanaian Zongo Qur’ānic schools and their families began settling in Chicago. To sustain their communal faith life and cultural bonds, they formally founded the Haske Rasuloolah Society of Chicago on October 25, 1976, envisioning “an oasis of hope in a desert of hopelessness.”

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Origins of Its Chicago Membership

Early members traced their roots to Ghana’s principal Zongo towns:

• Nima & Sabon Zongo (Accra) – merchants, artisans, students

• Tamale Zongo (Northern Region) – scholars from Dagbon

• Wa Zongo (Upper West Region) – families linked to the Waala emirate

• Bolgatanga Zongo (Upper East Region) – traders with Kassena and Frafra ties

• Yendi Zongo (Northern Region) – descendants of Dagbon royal entourages

Together, they brought Hausa, Mamprusi, Zabarima, and Fulani dialects and customs to Chicago, uniting under the banner of Haske to recreate their faith, education, and social life in the Midwest.

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 Founding Leadership & Early Development

• Alhaji Adjei Abubakar Okoe, Founding President
  Led the inaugural prayers, cultural programs, and membership drives.

•  Alhaji Tijanie, Early President & Center Sponsor
  Guided the acquisition—and eventual payoff—of their first community center at 4819 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60609.

•  Council of Elders & Queen Mother (Ohemaa)

• A small advisory body, including the inaugural Queen Mother, ensured faithful adaptation of Zongo rites for births, marriages, and funerals.

 

Governance Structure & Recent Leadership

Today, the Society is governed by:

• Executive Team: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary

• Board of Directors: Including the Chief Imam and Galadima

• Council of Elders: Cultural and spiritual custodians
   

2024 Officers:

•  President: Abbas Labaran

•  Vice President: Illiasu Tamanjah

•  Secretary: Nikki Giwa

•  Treasurer: Fataullah Tahiru

•  Chief Imam: Mallam Hafiz Tahiru

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 Cultural & Religious Activities

• Masjid & Community Center (4819 S. Ashland Ave): Daily prayers, study circles, and rites of passage.

• Ghanafest Participation: Showcasing Zongo cuisine, Hausa calligraphy, and drumming ensembles.

•  Eid Celebrations: Congregational prayers, zakāt distributions, and communal feasts.

• Haske Madrasat (Islamic School): Since 2020, offering Qur’ānic and Arabic instruction under Ustaz Mohammed Al-Thani and Principal Alhaji Baba Cisse.

 

Community Service & Diaspora Development

• Lifecycle Ceremonies: Faithful Zongo-style rites for births, marriages, and funerals.

• Emergency Relief: Airfare sponsorship and financial assistance for distressed members.

• Youth Mentorship: Academic talks, scholarships, and career guidance.

• Holiday Drives: Food and toy distributions with local charities.

 

Legacy & Vision

For nearly five decades, the Haske Rasuloolah Society of Chicago has carried the light of Ghana’s Zongo heritage into America’s Midwest. From its 1976 founding through generations from Nima to Yendi, it remains committed to faith, culture, and communal solidarity:

 

    “Where faith takes root, community blossoms.”