The Ogbomoso Muslim Youth Forum (OMYF), has asserted that the chieftaincy law in Oyo state does not place religious leaders under traditional rulers in the state.

The group made the statement in response to a recent query issued by the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, to the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Sheik Teliat Yunus Ayilara, for travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj without informing him.

The traditional ruler’s query, dated June 10, 2024, and signed by palace secretary, Toyin Ajamu, was challenged by the forum.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Alhaji Ishaq AbdurRaheem, the group clarified that the chieftaincy law does not categorize the Chief Imam or other religious leaders as minor chiefs under the authority of kings.

AbdurRaheem emphasised that the Chief Imam was appointed under Islamic law by a Shura committee that interviewed and screened all candidates.

He added that the Muslim community is the custodian of the Central Mosque, not Soun or the palace, adding that ownership of any mosque in Islamic jurisprudence is the Muslim community.

He then advised the traditional ruler to maintain the status quo as ordered by the court pending the determination of the substantive suits.

“As a rejoinder to the press conference titled “Imbroglio in Ogbomosoland: Need to Avoid Instigating Violence and Insubordination against Constituted Authorities” held on Saturday 29 June 2024 by a coalition of few members of the Ogbomoso Special Committee on Islamic Affairs, alongside absconded members of Imam in Council, dissenting members of the League of Imams and Alfas and aggrieved members of Ayilara Family, Ogbomoso Muslim Youth Forum under the chairmanship of Alhaji Ishaq AndurRaheem wish to accentuate the facts of the matter as follows:

“The conveners of the conference tactically sought to exonerate His Imperial Majesty – Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III from the saga. The Kabiyesi was cajoled into believing that this set of propagandists were the real leaders of Islam in Ogbomoso when none of them possessed the required Islamic education to lead Muslims. And on the occasion when the Ogbomoso Muslim Youth Forum sought dialogue with the king long before the issue escalated, they were unceremoniously sent out of the palace.

“The late Soun, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III formed this Special Committee on Islamic Affairs (led by Aare Musulumi ofMuslim’s Ogbomosoland) in his capacity as a Muslim stakeholder to enable the community to benefit from their resources and influence towards advancing Islam. The modifications in the old system of mosque administration to incorporate people of sound Islamic knowledge and creed initiated by the Chief Imam constituted their falling apart. Noteworthy is that the reform was also intended for better accountability.

“The erroneous accusation of insubordination on all and sundry against the King’s position is reprehensible. The Muslim Community is one global community with an ultra-high sense of brotherhood. It is therefore natural that the unprecedented actions of the king, Oba Ghandi Olaoye Orumogege III provoke reactions from all Muslims. Nobody invited or sponsored all the mediators visiting the city for peace as speculated in the press conference. This exposed the conveners’ bad intentions.

“They mischievously justified their claim with unreferenced history on the building of the Central Mosque and appointment of all the past Chief Imams. History affirms that Obas in Yorubaland accorded Islamic scholars/clerics special status, housed them in close quarters, and assisted them in building mosques in exchange for their spiritual services. In some cases, those kings donated pieces of land for mosques, and ditto for churches, and traditional shrines.

“Ogbomoso is not an exemption in this regard. Although an admission was made unwittingly that none of the past Souns unilaterally built Ogbomoso Central Mosque, they stopped short of admitting that constituted committees among the Muslim Ummah did the job. This shows that the Muslim Community is the custodian of the Central Mosque, not Soun or the palace. Besides, ownership of any mosque in Islamic jurisprudence is the Muslim Community, hence why it is not treated as an estate.

“Past records as stated also show that all the past Chief Imams were appointed by Soun based on the age-long custom occasioned by the mutually beneficial relationship between Kings, Imams and Muslim Communities; a relationship defined by mutual respect for their boundaries. The game was changed before the demise of the last Soun (Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III) when the Muslim Community prevailed on the late monarch to allow them to take over the selection, screening, interview and final appointment of the Grand Chief Imam.

“The late monarch bowed to the argument that the initial arrangement does not have a place in constitutional democracy. This paved the way for the appointment of the Grand Chief Imam through the provisions of Islamic law by a Shura committee that interviewed and screened all prospective candidates”, the statement read.