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Tag: chief imam

  • Eid-El-Kabir: Religious leader calls for peaceful co-existence

    Eid-El-Kabir: Religious leader calls for peaceful co-existence

    The Chief Imam of the Epe Central Mosque, Alhaji Abiola Sadallah, on Friday appealed to Muslims in particular and Nigerians, in general, to imbibe the value of peaceful co-existence and pray for continued peace in the nation.

    Sadallah made the appeal in his Eid el-Kabir sermon at Epe, Lagos State.

    He noted that the promotion of peace among the diverse ethnic and religious groups in the country was critical to national development.

    Sadallah, therefore, urged all Nigerians to use the opportunity of this year’s festive season to demonstrate the essence of unity among the various ethnic groups in the country.

    According to him, since Islam preaches the message of peace and tolerance, every Nigerian should begin to embrace brotherly love and harmonious co-existence.

    He urged the Muslim faithful to pray for continued peace in their various neighbourhoods and the nation at large.

    “I call on all Muslims to shun religious extremism because it is becoming a challenge to our national development.

    “Those who hide under the veil of religion to perpetrate religious crisis are being ignorant of the teachings of Islam as nobody can fight for God.

    “You cannot fight to protect an authority to who we owe our very existence or on behalf of one who is greater than the sum total of us.

    “As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, therefore, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty Allah to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life.

    “Love of neighbour and sharing, even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country, and the possibility of her taking her proper place in the comity of nations,” the Chief Imam said.

    Mr Olawale Mogaji, Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Commission (LAHA), also reiterated that promotion of peace among various ethnic and religious groups in the country was essential to national development, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Mogaji, who is also the Otun Sarumi of Epeland, said that leaders, as well as followers, both had a common task in building a strong and virile nation.

    The chairman LAHA quoting from the Qur’an, Chapter 2, Verse 45, which says ‘Nay, seek Allah’s help with patience, perseverance and prayers,
    urged all political and religious leaders across the nation to use the festive period to supplicate to God for peace, progress and love, among the people.

    NAN reports that the former speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforoji, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Abiola Anifowose, and Adedoyin Adesanya, Chairman, Epe Local government were in attendance.

  • Rain stops Adebule, Akiolu, Chief Imam from praying at Dodan Barracks

    •’Preach love, tolerance, peaceful co-existence’

    For the first time in many years, top Lagos State Government Officials yesterday could not observe the Eid prayers to mark the end of Ramadan at Dodan Barrack, Ikoyi.

    An early morning downpour stopped Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Oba of Lagos, Riliwan Akiolu and the Chief Imam of Lagos, Alhaji Garba Akinola Ibrahim from worshipping there.

    The praying ground has over the years become the official venue for the ceremony.

    Instead, they joined other worshippers at the Lagos Central Mosque for the prayers.

    Those who could not get inside the mosque prayed outside.

    In his sermon, Alhaji Ibrahim urged Muslims to be kind to others and emulate Prophet Muhammed.

    Prophet Muhammed during his time, he said, was able to convert many into Islam because of his exemplary behaviour. He advised the faithful to remember the prophet’s saying that ‘’no one is a Muslim yet, until what he wants for himself is what he wants for his brother’’.

    Urging Muslims to imbibe Ramadan’s tenets he asked them to refrain from sins and vices that could undermine the spread of Islam.

    The deputy governor, who came with her husband, Alhaji Saheed Adebule, an Information Technology expert, called on Lagosians to continue to live together in peace. She urged them to sustain the existing peaceful relationship with people of diverse tribes and religions.

    Dr Adebule asked Muslims to imbibe Ramadan’s tenets, which according to her, include fear of God, love for one another, tolerance, equality, obedience, abstinence from sins, discipline and caring for the welfare of fellow human beings irrespective of religion, colour or tongue.

    She enjoined Muslims not to go back to things they shunned during the fast, noting that one of the exercise of the fasting was for them to be more pious and move closer to God.

    “As we celebrate Ed- El- Fitr, let me congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters for God’s Mercy that has seen us to the end of the month. Let us unite together and build a very strong nation that our children will be proud of and I pray that the Almighty Allah will not deny us the reward of the fasting,’’ she said.

    Oba Akiolu described Lagos as a cosmopolitan state that accommodates people from diverse tribes and religions.

    The monarch urged the residents to clean up their environment to avoid epidemics outbreak.

  • Tension in Eruwa over new Chief Imam

    There was tension yesterday in Eruwa, one of the major towns in Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State, on the next Chief Imam of the town.

    The furore followed the death of the former Chief Imam, Alhaji Yakub Adesina.

    The outrage over who becomes the next Chief Imam started when reporters visited the Islamic community for verification on the matter.

    A group said to be loyal to one of the contenders, Alhaji Abdulkareem Oloore, had reportedly announced him as the chosen candidate.

    But while one of the Islamic leaders was explaining how a new Imam is installed, the group walked out the reporters.

    It feigned ignorance about the reporters’ visit and enquiries, threatening to harm the visitors, if they fail to leave the venue.

    But the chairman of the Selection Committee for the new Imam, Alhaji Prince Rasheed Oyedokun, said no new Imam had been selected.

    The Muslim cleric said there were four contenders for the position: Alhaji Bilau Shittu, Alhaji Mudashiru Adedeji, Alhaji Abdul-Kareem Oloore and Alhaji Dauda Ajeigbe.

    Oyedokun said two of the contenders had been screened out while Alhaji Oloore and Alhaji Ajeigbe were the main contenders.

    The committee chairman wondered why some people were making a false announcement that Alhaji Oloore had been selected.

    He said: “We are in the process of making a final selection of who will become the Chief Imam of Eruwa. But we are surprised that some people have gone to the press to announce the selection of Oloore.”

    Oyedokun added that he was ashamed as a community leader and indigene of the town to see the way some people had twisted the simple matter into a complex issue.

  • Let our chief Imam be, youths tell critics

    Youths under the aegis of Oriwu Central Mosque Youth Organisation (OCMYO) in Ikorodu area of Lagos State have described the Chief Imam of the Oriwu Central Mosque, Alhaji Yahya Oshoala as a man who promotes peace in Ikorodu Islamic organisations.

    The group urged critics to desist from talking ill of the Chief Imam so as to allow peace to reign in Ikorodu Islamic Organisation.

    In a statement issued and signed by the President of the organisation, Hadji Kazim Ganiu-Sanni,  OCMYO said the Chief Imam of Oriwu is contented with the capacity at which he is serving and he has never vied for the office of Chief Imam of Ikorodu Central Mosque.

    He further noted that Oshoala is ready for any move to facilitate settlement between the Oriwu Central Mosque and the Ikorodu Central Mosque.

    According to the statement, leadership is not the problem of Oshoala but the progress of Islam, unity, justice and peaceful co-existence of the inhabitants of Ikorodu.

    The statement stated that the rift between the duo Muslim organisations has  existed for many years and the Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque cannot be blamed for it.

    The statement read in part: “With reference to the above explanation, it is obvious that both Sheikh Oshoala and Oriwu Central Mosque are committed to any peace move initiated to facilitate amicable settlement of the ongoing rift between the two Central Mosques and will never stand in the way of such moves.

    “We also want to reiterate that Sheikh Oshoala is a man of peace and is contented with his leadership role in Oriwu Central Mosque; hence, those cynically linking him to the Imamship of the Ikorodu Central Mosque for political gains are hereby advised to desist from the character assassination and allow peace to reign within the Ikorodu Muslim community.

    “We also want to state that leadership is not the main concern of Chief Imam Oshoala of Oriwu but the progress of Islam, unity, justice and peaceful co-existence of the inhabitants of Ikorodu.”

  • Chief Imam calls for support for Aregbesola

    Chief Imam calls for support for Aregbesola

    The Chief Imam of Osogbo,  Sheik Musa Animasaun, yesterday told a huge congregation of Muslims to support  Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in his efforts to transform the state into a model for other states in the country.

    He said the governor could not be accused of being the architect of the delay in the payment of salaries in the state.

    The cleric, at the prayers  marking the end of the Ramadan fasting at the state capital, said those focusing on Aregbesola were only dissipating energy as he said “there is a malady afflicting the national economy for which Nigerians must seek God’s favour and intervention”.

    He commended Governor Aregbesola for the development he had brought to Osun, admonishing him to always seek God’s guidance.

    The Chief Imam urged the people of the state to be prayerful and put their trust in God.

    The cleric lauded the government for the truce reached with workers and the commencement of the payment of   salaries.

    He said: “All of us should put our trust in God and desist from sins because  sins brought us to where we are in the country today.  Everything that is happening is the wrath of God. We need to turn to God to heal our land.

    “We are all witnesses to the transformation that Aregbesola has brought to the state.  No government in the history of the state did what he has done.”

  • Chief Imam to be turbaned

    Chief Imam to be turbaned

    The 18th Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh AbdulGaniyy Abubakar Agbotomokekere, will be turbaned on Friday at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba , Ibadan.

    Sheikh Agbotomokekere replaced Sheikh Busari Suara Haruna, who died on April 9 at 93.

    The Chairman, Ibadan Muslim Community, Chief Bayo Oyero, said members of the league of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, including Edo and Delta, are expected to grace the occasion.

    Also expected are Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Samuel Odulana; Seriki Musulumi of Yorubaland Alhaji Yekini Adeojo; Iyalode of Ibadanland Alhaja Aminat Abiodun and Iya Adinni of Yorubaland Alhaja Sekinat Adekola.

    Oyero said guests are to be seated by 9:30am. He added that after the turbaning, the Chief Imam will lead Jumat service at the Central Mosque, Oja’ba.

  • Chief Imam of Ibadan is dead

    Chief Imam of Ibadan is dead

    Sheikh Baosari Suara Haruna III, chief imam of Ibadan land and president-general, League of Imams and Alfas in South West, including Edo and Delta states, is dead.

    Chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo State Alhaji Ishaq Sanni confirmed the death yesterday.

    Sanni said the late Islamic cleric died during a brief illness in Ibadan. He was 93.

    The shout of Allah Akbar (God is Great) rented the air as devotees  struggled  to catch a glimpse of the body as it was brought into the mosque for the prayers.

    The short prayer on the body was led by Sheikh Bello Kewulere, the Chief Imam of Ado Ekiti and Deputy President General of the League of Imams and Alfas at 4.35 p.m.

    The late  Islamic scholar was buried at  his Agbeni residence in Ibadan at 6.05 p.m.

    The late chief imam was turbaned in 1995.

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, described Sheikh Haruna as a religious leader, who used his position to ensure cohesion among the Islamic faithful.

    At the event were  Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

    Others  were   Prof. Dawud Noibi, Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) as well as Islamic scholars from Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Edo and Delta states.

  • Osogbo gets chief imam

    Osogbo gets chief imam

    Sheik Musa Animashaun was installed yesterday as the 17th Chief Imam of Osogbo.

    The ceremony was attended by Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Asiwaju Musulumi in Yorubaland, Alhaji Tunde Badmus and other Muslim leaders.

    The 78-year-old cleric succeeded Sheik Mustapha Ajisafe, who died on September 8.

    Speaking at the ceremony also attended by members of the League of Imams and Alfas in the Southwest, the Chief Imam of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdul-Ganiyu Oladosu, urged the federal, state and local governments to correct the imbalance against Muslims in appointments into public offices.

    He called on all citizens to learn to live together in peace and harmony.

    “We all hope today that as Muslims and Christians, we will work together for a United States of Nigeria, which has been the dream of our founding fathers.

    “And since God did not create humans to belong to one religion, everybody must respect the beliefs of others.”

    Badmus urged Muslims, Christians and traditionalists to work together for the nation’s development.