Soun Appoints New Palace Chief Imam

Soun of Ogbomoso land, Oba Ghandi Afolabi has installed Habib Ahmed Adekunle Ayilara as the Chief Imam of Soun Palace.

The newly installed Chief Imam is in charge of the mosque in Soun’s palace.

Ayilara was turbaned in the presence of a large population of Muslims in the community including the Parakoyi of Ogbomosoland Alhaji Sirajudeen Aleem and other Muslim leaders in the community.

In his speech, AIhaji Aleem said the Ayilara would be, for now, the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso palace, noting that the embattled Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland Sheikh Teliat Yunus’s position is intact.

Alhaji Aleem said since the issue of Alhaji Teliat is in court they won’t act contract to the court.

“He will be the Imam of the palace, the Imam of the Oba; we are not acting in contempt of the court because the matter is in court; it is the court that will tell us if Imam Teliat is Imam Ogbomoso or not. We are not removing him (Alhaji Teliat) as Chief Imam Ogbomoso, he is still because the matter is in court, but the Imam of the Soun is the one we are turbaning today. Listen to me; he is the imam of the palace, of all the Soun Royal Houses,” the Parakoyi declared.

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In his remark, the Soun chastised those trying to make the throne of the Soun a religious issue pointing out that the throne is that of the traditionalists.

Oba Ghandi noted, “This afternoon, I was deeply honoured by the Ogbomoso Muslim community, who graciously organized a special prayer in celebration of my 63rd birthday.

“I have the distinct honour of conferring the esteemed title of the Imam of Soun’s Palace on Habib Ahmed Adekunle, Omo Abdul Wahab, Omo Imam Mahamud Ayilara.

“The Palace of Soun requires an Imam who will not only lead prayers within the palace but also represent me in religious matters concerning the Muslim community both within our town and beyond.”

Warning those who are giving religious colouration to the issue, Oba Ghandi said, “The throne is that of the traditionalists. Soun Ogunlola, who founded the throne, was a pure traditionalist; he worshipped the Ogun deity. We Christians and Muslims are just intruding, so to say, it originally belonged to the traditional religion worshipers, so we should encourage religious harmony. It neither belongs to either of us Christians nor Muslims, they are only lending us the throne.

“Let me clear this: the event of today is not the bus stop; we are yet to reach our destination; the bus only stopped to pick up someone. I have refused to remove him (the incumbent Chief Imam Teliat) despite him taking me to court. But I told him you can’t take me to court and be leading me in prayer, we don’t go to court and become friends. You that took me to court your intention is to win, to win against the Oba, and you call yourself an indigene of this town. Such prayer can’t be answered I believe. I am a pastor; if I take my member to court, will I lead in prayer,r, and such member will say amen?”

“Today’s event marks my birthday. It is historical. The person we installed today conducted thorough research, we don’t want to make such a mistake again. I have been an alfa (pastor) for 32 years, I believe Imam Teliat was still wearing pants then.

“That is the truth. And as Christians, we don’t mount the pulpit to abuse a king, l don’t know your religion much, but in Christendom, we don’t do that, although some pastors say nonsense, too.”