The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Olaoye, and the Chief Imam of the city, Shiek Taliat Ayilara, are currently engaged in war of words over the query issued to the later for attending the last Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, without permission.

The Soun had yesterday reprimanded Sheik Ayilara for failing to seek the traditional ruler’s permission before embarking on Hajj pilgrimage.

Sheik Ayilara however in his response tackled the Soun, insisting that he lacked the power to query him.

Soun, in the query, claimed that the Chief Imam did not inform him before he embarked on the journey.

The traditional ruler had in the letter dated June 10, 2024, stated that what the Chief Imam did was in contrast with the undertaking he signed before he became the Chief Imam.

The query, made available to newsmen yesterday, was signed by the palace Secretary, Toyin Ajamu, on behalf of the traditional ruler.

The letter reads: “I refer to the earlier query issued to you with regards to your unbecoming and reprehensible conducts as Chief Imam Agba of Ogbomosoland and the need to desist from such conducts.”

“You will recall that on your appointment as Chief Imam Agba of Ogbomosoland you signed an undertaking and agreement which you agreed will be binding on you. In the said undertaking, you unequivocally undertook to inform the Soun of Ogbomoso before traveling outside Ogbomoso.”

“However, we have been informed that you are currently in Mecca on a Holy pilgrimage without notifying the Soun. This is a clear violation of your undertaking.”

“Secondly, you agreed not to appoint any surrogate during your tenure without the approval of His Royal Majesty, Soun of Ogbomoso.”

“Nevertheless, we have received information that you have appointed a surrogate named Sheik Abdulrahman Alim Areo as the acting Chief Imam Agba of Ogbomosoland, who led the Jumat Prayer of Friday, 7^th June, 2024 of the Central Mosques.”

“This action is a direct breach of your undertakings. As the Soun of Ogbomosoland, I hereby demand that you immediately return to Ogbomoso and rectify these violations and desist from any further actions that violate the undertakings you signed on the approval of your appointment as Chief Imam Agba of Ogbomosoland.”

Sheik Avilara, in a defiant and strong-worded response to the query however 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, in the letter signed by his secretary, Ogunleye 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. (Vanguard)

•Muslim worshippers pray around the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca on June 13, 2024, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

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