For wearing attire meant for an Imam on the last Muslims’
festival, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State committed sacrilege, a Muslims
rights group declared yesterday...
Governor Fayose joins Muslim faithful in
Sallah prayers The Encarta Dictionary defines an Imam as an Islamic religious
leader regarded as a direct descendant of Muhammad or Ali and appointed by
Allah. An Imam is also defined by the same dictionary as a respected Islamic
scholar, especially a founder of a school of theology or law. Fayose is a
Christian governor of Ekiti State, who was first elected under the Obasanjo
administration and was re-elected over three years ago under former President
Goodluck Jonathan. Stoking controversy However, for inxplicable reasons, the
governor shocked the world on the last Muslims celebration on September 1, 2017
when he appeared in full regalia, including a turban as an Imam, at the venue
of the event in his state. Apart from the controversy stoked by the costume,
Fayose also used the ground to make some strong political statements that have
now been condemned by the Muslims Rights Concern, MURIC, headed by Islamic
scholar, Professor Ishaq Akintola. MURIC’s fury In a strongly-worded statement
condemning the governor’s action, MURIC said: “The Governor of Ekiti State,
Ayodele Fayose, appeared on Eid ground dressed in Islamic regalia, including a
turban on Friday, 1st September, 2017. Mr. Fayose also delivered a
politically-motivated speech at the Id ground. The Muslim Rights Concern
(MURIC) strongly condemns Fayose’s action. It is highly sacrilegious and unduly
provocative. It is Act I, Scene I in the Theatre of the Absurd. ‘He hates
Muslims’ “Governor Fayose cannot pretend to be a friend of Ekiti Muslims. He
has delivered several anti-Muslim speeches and uttered several hate
pronouncements targeted at Nigerian Muslims. His general attitude and body
language to Muslims of Ekiti belie his status as the state governor. “He has
also demolished mosques out of sheer desire to eliminate all Islamic landmarks
in Ekiti. So, who is Fayose deceiving?”
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