31st August, 2024
PRESS RELEASE:
OGBOMOSO PALACE IMAM: IT IS DIVIDE ET IMPERA - MURIC
The Soun of Ogbomoso yesterday appointed an Imam
for his palace. But in a quick reaction, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has
rejected the move. The group described the king's action as a subterfuge to
weaken Islam, a stratagem to enslave Muslims and a chicanery to exploit the
Muslim population of Ogbomoso. It urged the Muslims of Ogbomoso not to fall for
the king's divide and rule tactics.
This was contained in a statement issued on
Saturday, 31st August, 2024 by the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights
Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola.
He said further:
"The Soun of Ogbomoso yesterday, Friday,
30th, August, 2024 appointed one Habib Ayilara as the 'Chief Imam' of his
palace.
"This
is a democracy, nobody can gag us except a competent court of law. Soun has had
his way, Nigerian Muslims must have their say. Soun's most recent action is a
subterfuge to weaken Islam, a stratagem to enslave Muslims and a chicanery to
exploit the Muslim population of Ogbomoso.
"Besides, the Soun has committed titularic
inexactitude and monarchical hara-kiri
by giving the title 'Chief Imam' to a man appointed only as palace Imam. There
is no vacancy in the Chief imamate of Ogbomoso because there can be only one
Chief Imam in a city of the caliber of Ogbomoso and that post has been filled
by Chief Imam Talihat Yunus Olushina Ayilara.
“Therefore,
the correct title of the new Imam is 'Palace Imam' Habib Ayilara. He is the
king's special Imam, not the Chief Imam. Afterall, many individual Muslims
are known to have separate mosque buildings in their compounds and they appoint
Islamic scholars as their personal Imams.
"We warn the new Palace Imam to be wary of
the king's tactics. He must not allow the palace pastor to mislead him. It is
sheer divide et impera. However, out of meanness and pettiness, the
king has made his private Imam the official Imam to be recognized by the Oyo
State Government. While we know that Governor Seyi Makinde is more than a
willing accomplice in this scheme to diminish the status of Islam in Ogbomoso,
we patiently await the court’s judgement.
"Of course it is strange for a pastor king to
have an Imam but since there is a mosque inside the palace, it is in order to
have a Ratibi Imam (Imam of a branch mosque, not that of a Central
Mosque). This is where the Soun has exhibited his zero knowledge of Islamic
matters. Unfortunately those who know better and who should have counselled
him, elected to dance to the gallery.
"Nonetheless,
Nigerians must look at Soun's action as an attempted coup (an unsuccessful one
for that matter) against the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso. It also constitutes an
incitement of Ogbomoso chiefs against their chief Imam. It is equally seen as
an intimidation of holders of Islamic titles and the harassment of the League
of Imams into submission. Interestingly, it tantamounts to contempt of court
when properly interpreted particularly if the court's pronouncement included
maintenance of the status quo.
"We urge the Muslims of Ogbomoso not to fall
for the king's divide and rule tactics. Soun's subterfuge is designed to weaken
Islam and to enslave and exploit the Muslim population. We know where Pastor
Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomoso, is going. The body language is very
clear. His aim is to make his palace Imam the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso.
"He
has appointed a palace Imam but where is his palace bishop? Nigerians must
ponder over this scandalous manipulation. His stratagem is to put his feet on
the Chief Imam's neck. He is mocking Islam, playing Muslims against one
another. It is divide et impera.
"The destiny of the Muslims of Ogbomoso in
particular and that of Yoruba Muslims is in their hands. They can only be free
when they resist attempts being made to divide and debilitate them. But
their method of resistance must be civilized, peaceful, lawful and
constitutional.
"For us in MURIC, we will rather be free and
totally committed Muslims in our graves than live as palace puppets, court
jesters, sycophants, minions and slaves. We will not sell our full Islamic
identity and religious freedom for a pot of porridge and crumbs from the palace
table".
#Ogbomoso
#PalaceImam
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Founder/Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
No comments:
Post a Comment