The Coalition of Organisations in the Defence of Islam in Yorubaland has urged peace, unity, and prayer within Muslim communities across the southwestern part of the country in the aftermath of the Ogbomosho incident, among others.
The coalition made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day meeting held at the Palace of the Asiwaju Adinni of Oyo State, Alhaji Mutiullah Oladejo, popularly known as Onimalu. The meeting was convened to deliberate on the state of Islam in Yorubaland and find solutions to the Ogbomoso crisis, the attack on a Muslim family by a pastor, heretical ideas being propagated on social media, and to promote peace in general throughout Yorubaland.
In the five-point communiqué read by Barrister AbdulWaheed O. Lawal, the coalition emphasised several key actions to promote harmony among Muslims in Ogbomosho and the Southwest, urging that Muslims throughout Yorubaland should observe tatawah (voluntary fasting) on Mondays and Thursdays throughout 2024.
The coalition stated that this observance was intended to foster prayerful reflection, with a special focus on peace and unity for Muslims in Ogbomosho. It also enjoined the Chief Imam of Ogbomosho, Dr. Sheikh Taliat Olushina Yunus Ayilara, to continue preaching peace during his sermons and to avoid discussing the ongoing crises within Ogbomosho land during his sermons on the mimbar (pulpit) to maintain a calm and peaceful environment.
The communiqué also called for an interface to be organised between Muslim leadership and notable Muslim figures, including the three Muslim senators representing Oyo State, to discuss the peace and progress of the Muslim Ummah.
Additionally, the coalition addressed the ongoing legal case in Iseyin, insisting that the case should be pursued to its logical conclusion to ensure that justice is served.
The coalition, therefore, directed all Muslims to continue exercising patience and to live in peace with others, promoting harmony within their communities. It highlighted the commitment of Muslim leaders in Yorubaland to achieving these aims and objectives during these challenging times.
The communique read:
“The Muslims throughout Yorubaland should be directed to observe tatawah on Mondays and Thursdays of 2024 and pray for peace and unity of the Muslims in Ogbomosho land.
“Chief Imam of Ogbomosho, Dr. Sheikh Taliat Olushina Yunus Ayilara, be advised and is hereby advised to continue to preach peace and to discuss other topics on the mimbar without making reference to the ongoing crises within Ogbomosho.
“An interface should be organised between this body and Muslim personalities and the three Muslim senators in Oyo State for the peace and progress of the Muslim Ummah.
“The Iseyin case should be pursued to its logical conclusion, and justice should be served.
“The body directs all our Muslims to continue to exercise patience and live in peace with all.”
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