Tension in the Ondo community over the 'dismissal' of the chief imam
Worshipers were on Friday worried about the fate of the day's Jumat service at Ikare Central Mosque in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State, following tensions resulting from the alleged sacking of the city's Chief Imam, Abubakar Muhammed.
It was established that the mosque was closed in the early hours of Friday as Muslims prepared for the Jumat service.
Police and armed soldiers were also seen at the entrance points to the mosque to prevent the breakdown of public order.
Reports of Mr. Muhammed's dismissal had generated tension in the community. The league of imams and alfas of the state, however, rejected the dismissal of the cleric.
However, under adequate security, the Jumat service was held with the embattled cleric leading the prayers.
The dismissal of the city's top cleric was orchestrated by the Muslim Council of Ikare, who claimed that Mr. Muhammed's dismissal stemmed from the council's decision of October 9.
The dismissal letter was signed by the Chairman of the Council, Adewale Abayomi, and the Secretary, R. Aiyegbusi.
In the letter dated October 10 addressed to the Chief Imam, the council stated that it had accepted the termination of the appointment of the cleric.
He also claimed that the bag had the approval of the city's monarch, the Okukare of Ikare, Saliu Akadiri Momoh IV.
The letter was also sent to all chiefs of state and city security officers.
Ondo League of Imams reactsThe League of Imams quickly rejected the cleric's removal, warning of its consequences and calling for patience.
In a statement on Thursday, league secretary general Abdurasheed Akerele said the state government's decision on outstanding issues within the Muslim community in Ikare has been addressed and settled.
“The problem that was fixed by the government should not be allowed to reappear,” the statement read.
“The Ondo State Imam and Alfa League does not support the impeachment or dismissal of the rumored Chief Imam of Ikare Akoko in the state .
"The League of Imams and Alfas Ondo strongly supports the government's verdict that its white paper has already been circulated to affected groups.
"In light of the above, therefore, every individual or group should allow peace to prevail in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State."
'Bad omen'The Ondo Council for Islamic Affairs said the reports from Ilare about the dismissal of the chief imam were unpleasant.
“The Council viewed this latest development as a very bad omen that could endanger the peaceful religious atmosphere in Ondo State,” said the statement signed by President Akinpelumi Abibullahi and Secretary general, Atere Nasirullahi.
"In order to prevent the breakdown of law and order in Ikare-Akoko and its environs, the Ondo State Government should bring the Muslim Council of Ikare to order, while the League imams and alfas in Ondo State under the leadership of Alhaji Ahmad Aladesawe should look into the matter urgently.
“The Council appreciates the steps taken so far by the Ondo State Government led by Mr. Governor - Arakunrin Rotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN to end the imbroglio that has been going on for some time now in Ikare-Akoko. As a way to find a lasting peace to the crisis.
"The Council supports the Ondo State Government's white paper on the crisis and we have implored the Council/Muslim City of Ikare to do the same so that peace and harmony can return to Ikare-Akoko in particular and Ondo State as a whole.”
The police reactMeanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami, said the deployment of security guards at the mosque was not unusual, as they were usually deployed every Friday and Sunday at worship centers for protection.
“The deployment is not unusual, and it is not because of any tension, we have always done it on Fridays in mosques and on Sundays in churches,” she said. declared.
On the crisis in the Muslim community of Ikare, she said that no official report has been made, so the police are not aware of any impending crisis.
While presiding over the Jumat service on Friday afternoon, the chief imam called on everyone in Ikare to give peace a chance so that the city can regain its lost glory, noting that without coexistence peaceful, development could not take place.< /p>
The Islamic cleric also advised all religious leaders and youth in Ikare to engage in fervent prayers for the...
Worshipers were on Friday worried about the fate of the day's Jumat service at Ikare Central Mosque in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State, following tensions resulting from the alleged sacking of the city's Chief Imam, Abubakar Muhammed.
It was established that the mosque was closed in the early hours of Friday as Muslims prepared for the Jumat service.
Police and armed soldiers were also seen at the entrance points to the mosque to prevent the breakdown of public order.
Reports of Mr. Muhammed's dismissal had generated tension in the community. The league of imams and alfas of the state, however, rejected the dismissal of the cleric.
However, under adequate security, the Jumat service was held with the embattled cleric leading the prayers.
The dismissal of the city's top cleric was orchestrated by the Muslim Council of Ikare, who claimed that Mr. Muhammed's dismissal stemmed from the council's decision of October 9.
The dismissal letter was signed by the Chairman of the Council, Adewale Abayomi, and the Secretary, R. Aiyegbusi.
In the letter dated October 10 addressed to the Chief Imam, the council stated that it had accepted the termination of the appointment of the cleric.
He also claimed that the bag had the approval of the city's monarch, the Okukare of Ikare, Saliu Akadiri Momoh IV.
The letter was also sent to all chiefs of state and city security officers.
Ondo League of Imams reactsThe League of Imams quickly rejected the cleric's removal, warning of its consequences and calling for patience.
In a statement on Thursday, league secretary general Abdurasheed Akerele said the state government's decision on outstanding issues within the Muslim community in Ikare has been addressed and settled.
“The problem that was fixed by the government should not be allowed to reappear,” the statement read.
“The Ondo State Imam and Alfa League does not support the impeachment or dismissal of the rumored Chief Imam of Ikare Akoko in the state .
"The League of Imams and Alfas Ondo strongly supports the government's verdict that its white paper has already been circulated to affected groups.
"In light of the above, therefore, every individual or group should allow peace to prevail in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State."
'Bad omen'The Ondo Council for Islamic Affairs said the reports from Ilare about the dismissal of the chief imam were unpleasant.
“The Council viewed this latest development as a very bad omen that could endanger the peaceful religious atmosphere in Ondo State,” said the statement signed by President Akinpelumi Abibullahi and Secretary general, Atere Nasirullahi.
"In order to prevent the breakdown of law and order in Ikare-Akoko and its environs, the Ondo State Government should bring the Muslim Council of Ikare to order, while the League imams and alfas in Ondo State under the leadership of Alhaji Ahmad Aladesawe should look into the matter urgently.
“The Council appreciates the steps taken so far by the Ondo State Government led by Mr. Governor - Arakunrin Rotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN to end the imbroglio that has been going on for some time now in Ikare-Akoko. As a way to find a lasting peace to the crisis.
"The Council supports the Ondo State Government's white paper on the crisis and we have implored the Council/Muslim City of Ikare to do the same so that peace and harmony can return to Ikare-Akoko in particular and Ondo State as a whole.”
The police reactMeanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami, said the deployment of security guards at the mosque was not unusual, as they were usually deployed every Friday and Sunday at worship centers for protection.
“The deployment is not unusual, and it is not because of any tension, we have always done it on Fridays in mosques and on Sundays in churches,” she said. declared.
On the crisis in the Muslim community of Ikare, she said that no official report has been made, so the police are not aware of any impending crisis.
While presiding over the Jumat service on Friday afternoon, the chief imam called on everyone in Ikare to give peace a chance so that the city can regain its lost glory, noting that without coexistence peaceful, development could not take place.< /p>
The Islamic cleric also advised all religious leaders and youth in Ikare to engage in fervent prayers for the...
What's Your Reaction?
