ANNIVERSARY: Muslims Urges To Imbibe Moral Uprightness As Tede Chief Imam Marks A Year In Offic
By Kaseem Jenrade
Muslim faithful have been charged to extol noble virtues of moral uprightness and fear of Allah which Islam teaches.
The admonition was part of the submissions made by an Associate Professor of Arabic , Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University,LASU,Prof Saheed Olurotimi Timehin who doubles as a guest lecturer at a year anniversary of the Chief Imam of Tede land, Fadilat Sheikh Al imam,(Barr) Imran Adewale Atilola.
The event, which was organized by the Tede Muslim Community, under the leadership of the Chairman Planning Committee Dr Mudasiru Adepoju,also featured the turbaning ceremony of some distinguished personalities in Tede land.
Many dignitaries from all walks of life, including wife of the Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Mrs Janet Alake Adeyemo, Traditional rulers led by the Onitede of Tede, His Royal Majesty Oba Abdul Rauf Adebimpe Oladoyin Gbangbade Erun the second, Islamic scholars, political stalwarts, government functionaries, captains of industry and large gathering of Tede indigenes home and abroad also graced the occasion.
While speaking,Prof. Saheed Timehin noted that the unwholesome activities and irrational behaviours attributed to some muslims in the society are worrisome and require a deliberate approach to caution those who are tarnishing the image of Islam.
The Islamic scholar charges everyone to abide by the principles and practices of Prophet Muhammad with a view to changing the negative perception of the people about Islam.
Chief Mrs Janet Alake Adeyemo and Prof Muslim Tayo Yahya, the Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South West of Nigeria,MUSWEN,in their separate remarks, rejoiced with the people of Tede, particularly the Tede Muslim Community on the auspicious occasion.
Mrs Alake Adeyemo saluted Barr Imran Atilola as a leader whose footsteps are worthy of emulation.
She noted that the new chief Imam has brought about unprecedented development to Tede land, particularly among Muslims and as such charged them to foster unity of purpose.
Prof Muslim Tayo, who said MUSWEN stands for unity among Islamic associations, charged muslim faithful in Tede land to remain united and support the leadership of Barr Atilola to achieve success.
The Executive Chairman , Legend Associates Insurance Brokers Ltd; who doubles as chairman of the day, Alhaji Abdullah Yahya in his address, said Allah chooses leaders for his people.
He reiterated that leadership is a task of commitment and responsibilities that should be executed or discharged with the fear of Allah.
He noted that the previous chief Imam of Tede Fadilat Sheikh Amonda Tijanni Adedigba of blessed memory,before his demise had set the pace of good leadership to be emulated by his successor.
According to him, the late chief Imam who was the chairman, league of the Imams and Alfa Oke ogun chapter during his lifetime, laid the foundation for peace, unity towards making a functional Islamic community in Tede.
He opined that leadership is about sacrifice,hence the need for Barr Atilola and other honourees to see their recognition as a clarion call to work harder in tandem with views of Sheikh Tijanni Adedigba for ideal society.
In their separate remarks,Mr Azeez Jimoh Adeniyi popularly called J West who represented Senator Abdul Fatai Buhari, Hon Busari Yakub Adewale Donbay,INEC officer; Atisbo local government Mr Sulaimon Azeez admonished the people of oke ogun to emulate good brotherhood and the spirit of comradeship of Tede Muslim community, most especially after the demise of the former chief Imam.
They also saluted the peace and oneness of the people of Tede land.
Some of the awardees, Alhaji Adepoju Yisau Aderemi Baba isale Adini,Alhaji Rauf Adekunle Adeniji Agbesinga Adini,Alfa Ahmad Tijani Abdul Rasaq Amirul Waizin,Alhaji Surveyor Alabede Abdul Rafiu Okekunle(FNIS) Asiwaju Adini,Alhaja Alimo Salahudeen Emiola Iyalaje Adini and the Asiwaju of Tede land who was the former chairman Atisbo local government and honoured with the chieftaincy title of Saraki Adini of Tede land Alhaji Ismail Adedeji in their separate remarks appreciated the chief Imam of Tede Barr Atilola and Tede Muslim Community for the honour bestowed on them.
They separately described it as a rare privilege to serve their community and promised to justify the confidence repose on them.
The event was also attended by the Alageere of Ago are, Alageere of Ofiki,Oloto of Ago are,Onisabe of Sabe, Onibaasi of Baasi, Chairman Tede Community home and abroad Deacon Mathew Kolawole Ogunkunle,Alhaji Abu Adejare Gbadamosi and Hon Dapo Yusuf among others.