The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has declared that it is not part of unauthorised conferment of Islamic chieftaincy titles on any individual in Yorubaland.
The league appealed to Muslims, traditional rulers, community leaders, government authorities, corporate organisations, philanthropists and the general public in Yorubaland to verify the authenticity of any individual or group before accepting any Islamic chieftaincy title.
The league while noting that it does not authorise individuals or groups to confer Islamic chieftaincy titles on any individual on its behalf, added that it is not part of such unauthorised conferment of Islamic chieftaincy titles or activities.
The organisation made these declarations via a statement signed by Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, Chief Imam of Ekiti (President), Sheikh Saadullah Bamgbola, Chief Imam of Ogun State (Vice President), Sheikh AbdulGaniy Agbotomokekere, Chief Imam of Oyo State (Grand Life Patron), Sheikh Musa Rabiu Animasahun (Chief Imam of Osun State), Sheikh Dr. AbdulHakeem Yayi Akorede, Chief Imam of Ondo State, Sheikh Seifudeen Oloworibi Ademoritan, Chief Imam Of Ikorodu Division (Chairman Rabita, Lagos), Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, Mudiru-l-Markaz (Chairman, Board of Trustees), Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola (The Grand Mufti of Yoruba Land) and Sheikh Mustapha Oseni Adewale Hamzat (Dohak), Secretary General, League of Imam and Alfas in Yoruba Land.
The league in the statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday, explained that it has come to its notice that some individuals and groups have recently embarked upon the conferment of titles which bear resemblance to, or are identical with, distinguished Islamic chieftaincy titles historically conferred by the constituted leadership of the league.
The league while appealing to Muslims in Yorubaland to verify the authenticity of any individual or group before accepting any Islamic chieftaincy title, noted that it will not compromise the unity of the Muslim Ummah in Yorubaland.
The statement reads “The League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land hereby issues this official disclaimer to the entire Muslim Ummah, traditional institutions, governments, corporate organisations, community leaders, philanthropists and the general public concerning the recent activities of a society/group which has been presenting itself as having the authority to confer Islamic chieftaincy titles traditionally associated with the League.
“The League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land, established in 1964 through the initiative of the revered Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory and other founding fathers across the then Western Region of Nigeria, has for over six decades served as a historic umbrella institution for Imams, Alfas and Muslim communities throughout Yoruba Land. Contemporary reports have likewise identified the League as the recognised umbrella body serving Muslims across the six South-Western States.
“The League has, throughout its history, worked to promote Islamic brotherhood, unity, peace, moderation, mutual respect and harmonious coexistence among Muslims and between Muslims and other communities in Yoruba Land. It has therefore come to our attention with serious concern that certain individuals or groups have recently embarked upon the conferment of titles which bear resemblance to, or are identical with, distinguished Islamic chieftaincy titles historically conferred by the constituted leadership of the League.
“We consider it necessary to place the following facts on record. The conferment of distinguished Islamic chieftaincy titles by the League has historically been undertaken as a means of recognising Muslims who have demonstrated outstanding service, commitment, sacrifice and contributions to Islam and the welfare of the Muslim Ummah in Yoruba Land.
“Among the most prominent examples are: Baba Adinni of Yoruba Land. The late Alhaji Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO Abiola) was historically recognised with the title of Baba Adinni of Yoruba Land. Available historical accounts record that Abiola received the title in the 1980s from League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land clerics. Following his demise, the title continued within the established tradition of the Muslim leadership of Yoruba Land and was subsequently conferred on Ambassador Sharafa Tunji Ishola (OFR).
“Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land. The late Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao was the first holder of the distinguished title of Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land, having been installed in 1980. Multiple historical accounts identify him as the first Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland. Following his transition, the title has continued under the established Muslim leadership of Yoruba Land and is presently held by: lhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola D-Darmak, Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land.
“The continuity of these titles demonstrates that they are not ordinary social decorations to be arbitrarily reproduced by individuals or groups without reference to the established Muslim leadership structure. For the avoidance of doubt, the League hereby places on record the following current holders of its distinguished Yoruba Land Islamic chieftaincy titles:
“Ambassador Sharafa Tunji Ishola (OFR), Baba Adinni of Yoruba Land. His Eminence Alhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola D-Darmak. Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land. Asiwaju (Dr.) Khamis Olatunde Badmus, Asiwaju Adinni of Yoruba Land. Alhaja Sekinat Adekola, Iya Adinni of Yoruba Land. Alhaja Chief Sedeekat Bolade Aderibigbe, Iyalode Adinni of Yoruba Land. Alhaji Mustapha AbdulRahman Abiola Zico, Borokinni Adinni of Yoruba Land. Alhaji AbdulRasheed Olawoore Omo Oku-Orun, Seriki Adinni of Yoruba Land. Alhaji AbdulGaniy Alaka, Giwa Adinni of Yoruba Land. Alhaji Moriwiyu Kayode Bakare, Balogun Adinni of Yoruba Land. Olori Agba Moriliat Iyabode Adetona, Asiwaju Obinrin Adinni of Yoruba Land
“These titles constitute part of the established heritage and institutional traditions of the League and should not be duplicated, misrepresented or presented to the public as though they were conferred by the League when they were not. The League also records the following distinguished past title holders:
“Late Alhaji Moshood Kashimawo Abiola Baba Adinni of Yoruba Land. Late Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao, Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land. Late Alhaji AbdulYekinni Adeojo, Seriki Adinni of Yoruba Land. Prominent amongs the past Chief Imam was His Eminence, Sheikh Akinola Garuba, OON the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos, who was also the Vice President of League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba land. May Almighty Allah continue to be pleased with them, grant them Al-Jannatul Firdaus and reward their contributions to Islam and humanity.
“The League wishes to state categorically that no individual, society, association or group is authorised to represent itself as an organ, affiliate, representative or authorised arm of the League without the express approval of the constituted leadership of the League. Similarly, any person or group purporting to confer the League’s established Islamic chieftaincy titles without the authority of the constituted leadership of the League should not be understood or represented as acting on behalf of the League.
“We are particularly concerned where titles historically reserved for distinguished members of the Muslim Ummah are reproduced or conferred indiscriminately, including in circumstances where the recipient may not belong to the Muslim faith. Such practices can create misunderstanding concerning the identity, meaning and authority attached to these titles.
“Our concern is not directed against any individual personally, nor is the League opposed to legitimate recognition of deserving Nigerians by lawful societies, traditional institutions or community organisations. Every organisation remains free to operate within its lawful sphere and to create its own appropriate honours. However, the use or reproduction of established titles associated with the League in a manner capable of causing the public to believe that such titles were conferred by, approved by, or originated from the League is unacceptable and must be clarified.
“For more than six decades, the League has remained committed to preserving the unity, peace and harmony of the Muslim Ummah in Yoruba Land. We therefore appeal to all Muslims, traditional rulers, community leaders, government authorities, corporate organisations, philanthropists and the general public to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of any claim that an individual or organisation is acting under the authority or mandate of the League.
“The League will not compromise the unity of the Muslim Ummah, the integrity of its institutional heritage, or the peaceful environment which Yoruba Land has enjoyed for decades. At the same time, we reaffirm our commitment to dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful resolution of differences. We have no desire to create unnecessary division among Yoruba people or between religious communities. Rather, our objective is to prevent confusion, protect institutional integrity and preserve the long-standing harmony among the people of Yoruba Land.
“Accordingly, any individual, society or organisation wishing to use, reproduce, confer or publicly associate any of the League’s established Islamic chieftaincy titles with its activities is advised to seek clarification and written approval from the constituted leadership of the League before proceeding. The League remains committed to its historic responsibility of promoting Islamic values, unity, peaceful coexistence, moderation and the welfare of the Muslim Ummah throughout Yoruba Land.
“We pray Almighty Allah (SWT) to continue to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among Muslims, preserve peace and harmony in Yoruba Land and Nigeria, and guide all of us towards that which is beneficial to Islam, humanity and society. This statement is issued for the information and guidance of the general public”.