The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has declared that it is not involved in the unauthorised conferment of Islamic chieftaincy titles on individuals 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 noted that it does not authorise individuals or groups to confer Islamic chieftaincy titles on its behalf.
The organisation made these declarations in 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, Grand Mufti of Yorubaland; and Sheikh Mustapha Oseni Adewale Hamzat (Dohak), Secretary-General of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland.
The league, in a statement made available to DAILY POST in Ibadan on Thursday, explained that it had come to its notice that some individuals and groups had recently embarked on the conferment of titles that resemble or are identical to distinguished Islamic chieftaincy titles historically conferred by the constituted leadership of the league.
It therefore appealed to Muslims in Yorubaland to verify the authenticity of any individual or group before accepting any Islamic chieftaincy title.
The statement noted that the league would not compromise the unity of the Muslim Ummah in Yorubaland.
The league said:
“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 Yorubaland.
“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.
“The League will not compromise the unity of the Muslim Ummah, the integrity of its institutional heritage, or the peaceful environment which Yorubaland 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 Yorubaland.
“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 Yorubaland.”
