Appointments of Imams must be based on knowledge— League of Imams

The League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land; Edo and Delta States as well as distinguished scholars of Islamic Studies and other stakeholders from the region  recently rose from a two-day conference with a resolve that appointment of Imams and other Mosques officials must henceforth be strictly based on knowledge of Islam just as the body also condemned the intolerance by non-Muslim on the use of hijab which it described as primary Islamic values.
The conference which was held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta Ogun State, recently was jointly declared open by Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, who also represented the President.
According to the communique of the meeting, the leaders stated:
“It is imperative for elite and traditional Islamic scholars to synergise for the common benefit of the ummah.  What is fundamental for all is taqwa.
“By subscribing to the philosophy of inclusiveness, Muslims must deepen their tolerance to cohabit peacefully with one another as well as with people of other faiths.
“Since Nigeria supposedly operates a democracy, it is incumbent on all Muslims to have a functional understanding of this. This is to enable us make consistent case for full observance of democratic values across all facets of life of the citizens especially as they conform to the nation’s constitution.  “The conference therefore condemns uninformed official intolerance of primary religious values like women’s use of hijab as recently exemplified by otherwise civilised Nigerian Law School.
“As a good strategy for growth and development, the ummah must make conscious efforts to make Islamic education attractive to enable us replicate many more people with knowledge and exemplary behavior in line with the quranic assertion that muslims are the best among humans.
“Appointment of Imams and other mosque officials must henceforth be strictly predicated on knowledge of Islam and other variables as prescribed by the orthodox doctrine of Islam based on the Qur’an and the Hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, SAW.
Highlight of the event was the official installation of  Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Isola, former Minister of Solid Minerals, as the Baba Adinni of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States before the full glare of all conferees and special guests including former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The event also featured goodwill messages from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, former President, Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo; President of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar represented by the Secretary-General, NSCIA, Prof Is’haq Oloyede; Ooni of Ife, Oba Eniitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi; President of the Muslims of the Southwest of Nigeria, MUSWEN, Alhaji S O B Babalola represented by the Executive Secretary of MUSWEN,  Prof D O S Noibi; Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola; President Nawairudeen Grammar School, Abeokuta, Alhaji Najimdeen Awodele and  Iya Suna of Ogun State, Alhaja Bisi Edionseri.