IWO MUSLIM CLERICS ENDORSED OMISORE MUSLIM leaders across Iwoland in Osun State proved a point of liberalism and meritocracy last week when they endorsed and prayed for the success of Senator Iyiola Omisore in the 2014 governorship race in the state. The event was unprecedented and was to prove that Yoruba are too enlightened and educated to make political decision on religious grounds. The event, which took place at the Araromi Primary School, attracted top clerics, as well as holders of internal and external knowledge within Islam from the ancient city. The occasion was a post-Ramadan lecture organised by the National Council for Islamic Affairs in Iwoland. The guest lecturer was Mr Ridwanulahi Ibraheem Olagunju and the topic of the lecture was “What Islam Teaches About Other Faiths.” For a visitor to the ancient town, the atmosphere was like the annual celebration of Iwo Day, especially as the venue was filled with leading clerics, students of Quranic schools, mallams of various kinds and political supporters of Senator Omisore. It was a carnival-like entourage of the senator that filed from the city’s town hall to the venue which was about four kilometres away. The shout of `Omi yaa` rent the air all through the procession. Political leaders in the procession included the Bashorun Musulumin of Iwoland, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, who was the chief host; federal commissioner with the National Population Commission, Chief Lere Oyewumi; former Commissioner for Education, Honourable Jelil Adesiyan; Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Iwo Local Government, Honourable Tayo Kareem; Honourable Tajudeen Ologburo, Honourable Ibrahim Ayofe, among others. On reaching the venue, the clerics took over the programme with the compere, Muq Musa Hasibunalahu (Amir Jaezh) introducing Islamic leaders in attendance. The list was very intimidating and confirmed truly that leaders of Islamic community in Iwoland were in attendance. The names cut across the three local governments in Iwoland. It included the Chief Imam of Iwoland, Sheikh Mudathir Ajao Akinlade; second in command to the Imam, the “Mufasiru” of Iwoland, members of the Council of Imams in Iwoland, members of “Ratibiss,” representatives of 58 registered associations under the National Council for Islamic Affairs in Iwoland. Others included Sheikh Musa Raj; chairman of League of Imams and Alfas of Ola Oluwa Local Government, the Chef Imam of Ile Ogbo, the Chief Imam of Bode Osi; members of Alasalatu Ibaadu Rahaman, Shehat Sekinat of Allahu Nuru Society; Sheikh Imran Adio, the Coordinator of National Council for Islamic Affairs in Iwoland; Shelkh Adam Titilope, Sheikh Abdul-Rahaman Badeku; Shekh Yakoob Mohammed, the Imam Ahlu Sunnah; Sheikh Walyulah Adesiji, the chairman of Arabic Schools Proprietors of Iwoland; Sheikh Quaseem Abdil-Rasak, the Mudheer Morkhaz Athaqofiy; Sheikh Ismahil Elegboigi; representatives of Sheikh Nasir Olododo and many others clerics. The lecturer, in his paper, stated that Islam preached good neighbourliness with people of other faiths, positing that Islam did not forbid inter-marriage or mingling in political matters with Christians. Citing various sections of the Quran and many sayings of Prophet Mohammed, Olagunju noted that Islam laid more emphasis on our relationship with Allah, while admonishing all not to create religious hatred. According to him, Almighty Allah could use people of any faith to bless His people, citing the case of Senator Omisore whom he said surrounded himself with Muslims and even alfas, such as Jelil Adesiyan. The lecturer particularly opened up on the person of Senator Omisore, who was the on of the occasion. According to Mr Olagunju, the Muslim community of Osun State had assessed contenders for the top job in Osun and Omisore, despite his Christian background, had a lot to offer the state. He reviewed the many reports about the senator and said they were all discovered to be products of propaganda and hatred. The lecturer, known for his frank thoughts on issues, explained that Omisore had a good family background and that the Omisore family did not have bad names, addng that the senator was not a bad candidate for the governorship of the state. He said what Muslims in Osun wanted was good governance and a leader who would promote harmony and fairness to all. He reviewed the records of the present Osun State government and concluded that the governor derailed just a year after he assumed office. Political change, he said, was imminent in Osun State. He, however, charged the former Senate Committee on Appropriation chairman to always listen to advice, carry them along and be friends with even his perceived enemies, adding that this was one of the best ways to make his aspiration realistic. Commenting on the lecture, Omisore thanked the organisers of the programme for inviting him and for the honour of chairing the Islamic event. The governorship aspirant of the PDP told the audience that he belonged to a mixed family of Christians and Muslims, adding that up till today, the two religions were practised within the Omisore family. He explained that he had always believed in mutual co-existence of all religions, adding that he had never considered religious affiliation in political and business dealings. Omisore also used the occasion to clear the air on many issues, including the Bola Ige matter, telling the clerics that he knew nothing about the killing of Chief Ige, describing the accusation as a ploy by the then Alliance for Democracy (AD) to stop him from running for governorship in 2003. He also noted that those he helped were the ones who tried to frame him, thanking God that he was vindicated when at the court hearing, there was no evidence linking him to the murder. Omisore described himself as a peace-loving politician with no record of criminality, adding that “my political detractors are jealous of my achievements, hence, they maligned me unjustly. I am here with you and I declare before God and man that my interest in Osun governorship is to redeem and empower our people. My goal is to liberate our people from oppression and failure of governance we are now witnessing in the state. “I want to give back to the society. I want to restore normalcy in our state. I want to tackle poverty. I want to ensure collective prosperity. I want to fix our education system, our civil service, our health sector, our finances and our infrastructure which have been badly bastadised by the incumbent. My fathers and mothers of faiths, I need your support to be successful on this mission and I promise never to disappoint you.” The clerics must have been so moved by the senator’s submission that before the close of the lecture, they decided to hold prayer session for him in the tradition of Iwoland. The senator was called out into the open field by the Chief Imam of Iwoland and handed a copy of Holy Quran. He was asked to open any page for the prayers. When he did, the page opened was where Allah granted Prophet Mohammed victory in one of the great holy wars in Islamic history. The shout of Allahu Akbar (God is great) rent the air with further prayers by each of the leading clerics in turn. The clerics proceeded to publicly endorse Omisore for the governorship, while promising continuous prayers for the final realisation of the ambition in 2014. Speaking on the event, the coordinator of the council, Sheikh Imran Adio, said the council organised the programme to sensitise Muslims to the need for peaceful co-habitation with people of other faiths. On why Senator Omisore was chosen as chairman of the event, Adio noted that the senator had always identified with the Muslim community when he was in and now that he was out of office
Posted on: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 17:57:11 +0000
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