The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh (Barrister) Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has reaffirmed the commitment of Muslims in Oyo Land to follow the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto on all Islamic-related matters.

Sheikh Akeugberu stated this as Muslims in Yorubaland have remained resilient in the face of attempts by what they described as divisive elements seeking, for political reasons, to incite them against the leadership of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah.

According to him, “The Ummah in Oyo Land will, by the will of Allah, follow the leadership of the Sultan in all Islamic-related matters.”

He added that this position is in line with Islamic teachings, stressing that it conforms with the Sunnah as contained in the Glorious Qur’an and the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Earlier, the Grand Chief Imam, who is also a legal practitioner and former Secretary General of the Amalgamated Muslim Rights Concern (AMURIC), issued a statement from his office announcing that the commencement of Ramadan fasting in Oyo Land would not be declared independently.

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In the statement personally signed by him, Sheikh Akeugberu said Muslims in Oyo Land would await the official declaration of moon sighting by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, before the start of the Ramadan fast.

“The general public is hereby notified to await the official announcement from His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, regarding the commencement of the Ramadan fasting,” the statement read.

PHOTO CAPTION:
From Right: Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Kingdom, Sheikh (Barrister) Bilal Husayn Akinola Akewugberu, during an homage to Sultan of Sokoto and Leader of Muslims in Nigeria, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, HFNIM, at his lodge in Ibadan, during his one week official visit in South West Nigeria, recently. With them is President of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, FCA.