The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, of trying to impose the imam he appointed for his palace as the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land,Daily Trust reports.
In a statement on Saturday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, criticized the king’s actions, describing them as an attempt to undermine Islam, subjugate Muslims, and manipulate the Muslim community in Ogbomoso.
He urged the Muslim population in Ogbomoso not to fall for what he termed the king’s “divide and rule tactics.”
“On Friday, August 30th, 2024, the Soun of Ogbomoso appointed one Habib Ayilara as the ‘Chief Imam’ of his palace. This is a democracy, and no one can silence us except through a court of law. The Soun has made his move, but Nigerian Muslims must voice their opposition. The Soun’s latest action is a deliberate attempt to weaken Islam, enslave Muslims, and exploit the Muslim community of Ogbomoso,” Akintola said.
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He further stated that the Soun’s decision to bestow the title of ‘Chief Imam’ on a man appointed only as a palace imam is a significant error, both in terms of titles and monarchical practice. Akintola emphasized that there is no vacancy for the Chief Imam position in Ogbomoso, as that role is already held by Chief Imam Talihat Yunus Olushina Ayilara.
“The correct title for the newly appointed imam should be ‘Palace Imam’ Habib Ayilara. He is the king’s personal imam, not the Chief Imam. Many individual Muslims have private mosques in their homes and appoint personal imams. The king’s new imam should be regarded in the same way,” he clarified.
Akintola warned the new Palace Imam to be cautious of the king’s intentions and not to be misled. He criticized the king for recognizing the palace imam as the official imam with the support of the Oyo State Government, accusing Governor Seyi Makinde of being complicit in a scheme to diminish the status of Islam in Ogbomoso.
He also expressed his anticipation of a court judgment on the matter, noting that the Soun’s actions could be seen as an attempted coup against the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso and an incitement of local chiefs against their religious leader. Akintola described these actions as an intimidation of Islamic titleholders and harassment of the League of Imams, warning that it could amount to contempt of court if the court had ordered the maintenance of the status quo.
Akintola concluded by questioning the Soun’s intentions, particularly why a pastor king would need an imam, while noting that it is customary to have a Ratibi Imam (imam of a branch mosque) in a palace that houses a mosque. He accused the Soun of mocking Islam and trying to manipulate the Muslim community by playing them against each other.
