Muslim leaders protest, order Ogbomoso Central Mosque locked

In the disputed case involving Sheikh Teliat Yinus Oluwasina Ayilara, the chief imam of Ogbomosoland, it appears that no brakes will be applied as Muslim leaders ordered the Central Mosque Oja’gbo to be “padlocked.”

The move is to prevent Sheikh Ayilara from leading the Jumat Service today.

According to a reliable source, a powerful gathering of Muslim leaders took place on Thursday where it was decided that the Chief Imam should “step aside” due to the family of Teliat Ayilara’s insistence that the imam is not a member of the Ayilara family, whose term of Imamship is being used.

Recall that the family has since last hammered that Teliat Ayilara is not a member of their family describing him as an “usurper” and as such, wants him out.

Petitioners flooded the Soun-in-Council, the League of Imams and Alfas, as well as other Muslim stakeholders, requesting his dismissal.

Under the leadership of Alhaji Taofeeq Lobanika, the Ogbomoso Muslim Justice Forum also adhered to the line that he stop preaching that “usurpation is not Islamic and is haram.”

The Areago of Ogbomoso, High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin, the head of the Soun-in-Council at the time, was harassed and allegedly called names by the Chief Imam’s supporters as a result of the Chief Imam’s persistence. He even challenged a recommendation by the Soun-in-Council that he “step aside” in court and was successful.

The situation took on fresh life with the appointment of the new Soun Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye as new petitions were filed against the Chief Imam. As a result, a number of meetings were organised, and last Thursday the Chief Imam’s mother was invited to affirm the real background of his son.

Despite numerous wild insinuations, including that the woman denied her son’s biological connection to the Ayilara family, which could not be independently verified, the woman, who is reported to reside in Badagry, Lagos state, responded to the summons. However, no official statement was issued regarding what happened at the meeting.

Following this, members of the League of Imams and Alfas staged street protests on Sunday, calling for the embattled Chief Imam to “leave for his town” asserting that he is “not even an indigene of Ogbomoso.”

However, Muslims who are supporting the Chief Imam are claiming that the position should not be family-restricted and that “deep Islamic knowledge and versatility” are the main requirements, both of which Sheikh Ayilara is said to possess.

They also cited the “several groundbreaking transformations” he effected in the physical structure and running of the Central Mosque, and is consequently seen as promoting the cause of Islam in the town.

As a result, “right and expediency” came into play.

The Central Mosque will reportedly be locked today, Friday, October 13, at the request of the Muslim community’s leaders in order to stop Sheikh Ayilara from leading the Jumat Service if he does not follow the “honourable path of stepping aside.”

The extremely prominent Aare Musulumi of Ogbomosoland, Alhaji Abdulganiy Atanda Owodunni, the Asoju Musulumi Alhaji Minkaheel Yussuf, the Balogun Musulumi, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Bello, and other notable officials are among those who are said to have made the decision.

The leaders therefore urged Muslims in the community to observe the Jumat service in mosques close to their respective residences today pending the final determination of the matter.(mouthpiecengr)

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