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 'You Can't Query Me'

Chief Imam, Ayilara Blasts Soun of Ogbomosho

The Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Sheik Teliat Yinus Ayilara, has strongly joined issues with the traditional ruler of Ogbomosho, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye over  the latter's decision to query him on his recent trip to Mecca and installation of some prominent Muslims in the ancient town.

In a strong-worded response to the query, the Chief Imam has rejected the monarch’s authority to query him, arguing that the position of Chief Imam is not a traditional title that falls under the authority of the traditional ruler.

Ayilara stated this in a letter addressed to the Soun in response to the query issued to the Chief Imam by the traditional ruler.

It was earlier reported that the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, issued a query to the Chief Imam for embarking on a journey to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj exercise without informing him.

But, the Chief Imam, in his swift reaction, noted that he responded to the letters issued by the traditional ruler out of deep respect he has for Yoruba culture and tradition.

Ayilara, in the letter signed by his secretary, Ogunleye Sulaimon Ajasa, insisted that as a Muslim and spiritual head of the Muslim community in Ogbomoso, he is not subjugating the rules regulating the practice of Islam to Yoruba tradition and culture.

In the letter made available to newsmen on Thursday, Ayilara said, “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 Ogbomoso land.”

“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 Ogbomoso land, Amirul Wa’izin of Ogbomoso land, Khadimul-Islam of Ogbomoso land and Kanzul ‘Ulama’ of Ogbomoso land, to immediately return to Nigeria and rectify the appointment of acting Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land 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 Ogbomoso land, 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 Ogbomoso land, God bless Oyo State and God bless Nigeria at large," the Chief Imam concluded.