The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has called for radical reforms to correct the mistakes recorded by unregistered leagues of Muslim clerics.
Oba Akanbi made the call in his remarks while endorsing the launch of a one thousand member registered league of Imams and Alfas for South West states, Edo and Delta in Ibadan on Saturday.
While affirming his full support for the coalition, Oluwo stressed that the registered league is legally binding with full recognition by the government through the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC.
The monarch noted that “the body will create a sense of belonging through a decentralised power of the state Imams by recognizing Imams and Alfas at the local levels”.
He challenged Yoruba Imams and Alfas to participate in active politics saying, “Active politics will expose the virtues of good Muslims and further provide an opportunity to improve people’s standards.”
Oluwo also called for collaboration and consistency to ensure the newly planted league survives any challenges confronted at the germination stage.
“There may be challenges at the formation stage. I have strong hope that this registered league will strive and become greater. This is the only league of Imams and Alfas known by law, legally binding and recognized by the government. It is here to stay, fully certified and recognised by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with registration number 9003000.
“Aside from consistency, I appeal for your active participation in politics. If you are politically powerful, the politicians will call you. You won’t run after them as we experience presently. We need you to be in power. You can be elected or appointed. Join a political party today and be active. As Muslims, you need power. The power will not come to you on a plater of gold.
“I charge you all to dedicate yourself to this course of reviving the league through a decentralized power sharing that creates a sense of belonging and togetherness for the local Imams and Alfas.
“I commend those who ensured Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta Muslims under Imams and Alfas are registered to be recognised by law. It’s an improvement and one of the testimonies that our children should be greater than us. It is not a division. It is an improvement,” he said.
The over 1,000 Imams were drawn from the six south west states – Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Lagos, Ekiti and Ogun, as well as Edo and Delta states.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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