The Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Sheikh Taliat Yunus Ayilara, has clarified to the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, that the position of Chief Imam is not a traditional title.
Ayilara emphasized that as Chief Imam, he is not under the authority of the Soun of Ogbomoso, and therefore the Soun lacks the jurisdiction to issue a query to him.
Ayilara conveyed these assertions in a letter responding to the query issued by the traditional ruler.
In the letter signed by his secretary, Ogunleye Sulaimon Ajasa, Ayilara insisted that as a Muslim and the spiritual leader of the Muslim community in Ogbomoso, he does not subordinate Islamic practices to Yoruba traditions and culture.
“My case is that the office of Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland is not a traditional title, and as such, it is not under the control of Soun of Ogbomosoland.
“My case against your majesty is still in court. And I strongly believe that when a matter is in court, the parties in the case must respect the authority of the court by abstaining from anything that may affect the case in court.
“Your majesty calling on me to revert the appointment of those Muslim brethren I installed as Grand Mufti of Ogbomosoland, Amirul Wa’izin of Ogbomosoland, Khadimul-Islam of Ogbomosoland and Kanzul ‘Ulama’ of Ogbomosoland, to immediately return to Nigeria and rectify the appointment of acting Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland I made is directly related to the case in court and I think the court must be respected.
“I also need to state that I am responding to your Majesty’s letters out of deep respect I have for Yoruba culture and tradition.
“However, as a Muslim and spiritual head of the Muslim community in Ogbomosoland, I am not subjugating the rules regulating the practice of Islam to Yoruba tradition and culture. It is a collective right of all Muslims. Kabiesi, I have forwarded the letters to my lawyers for onward transmission to the court. God bless Ogbomosoland, God bless Oyo State and God bless Nigeria at large.”
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