In a bid to foster unity and brotherhood among Nigerian Muslims, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has appointed four (4) new Imams to lead the National Mosque in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
The new Imams will be joining the ranks of existing four (4) Imams, including the Murshid, Prof. Shehu Ahmad Sai’d Galadanci, CON, who is the overall head, spiritual guide, and general administrator of the National Mosque.
Muslim News’ findings revealed that the National Mosque doesn’t add “Chief” to the title of its imams as applicable elsewhere. They are simply imams carefully selected by the apex Islamic body in Nigeria from different regions in the country to promote inclusion.
Their appointment has been approved by the General Purpose Committee, GPC, and Expanded General Purpose Committee, EGPC, of the NSCIA. The final approval is to be conducted by the Fatwa Committee before their formal unveiling, according to a source at the National Mosque.
The new Imams are Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu (visiting Imam, North Central); Dr. Abdulkadir Salman Sholagberu (visiting Imam, North Central); Prof. Luqman Zakariyah (resident Imam, Southwest), and Ustadh Haroun Muhammad Eze Esq. (resident Imam, SouthEast).
The existing Imams are Prof. Ibrahim Makari (visiting Imam, Northwest); Prof. Muhammad Kabir (visiting Imam, Northeast); Prof. Ilyas Usman (visiting Imam, Southeast); while the last, in this category, Sheikh Ahmad Onilewura (resident Imam) from southwest Nigeria is on a sick leave and has not been leading prayers for a while.
Prof. Ilyas, a renowned Muslim scholar, made history as the first Igbo to be appointed as the Imam of the National Mosque from the region. He was billed to deliver his inaugural khutbah on Friday, 18th October 2024, before it was shifted due to some administrative issues.
Multiple sources close to the leadership of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, however, told Muslim News on Wednesday, 4th December, that Prof. Ilyas has now been cleared to join other imams to lead the congregations in both daily and Friday Salat (prayers).
“The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III and the leadership of the NSCIA deserve commendation as they continue to promote unity, brotherhood, and inclusion among Nigerian Muslims,” the source, who spoke anonymously with Muslim News, added.
A national monument, the building of the National Mosque started in 1981. It was completed around 1984 and officially opened in 1991, same week the seat of power was moved from Lagos to Abuja.
The mosque has a capacity to accommodate 15,000 congregants at a go, while its expansive precinct can take additional 10,000 worshippers.
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We pray they are able to make the Masjid a symbol of national unity, and source of hope and enlightenment.
These appointments are timely, appropriate and apt underscoring the universality of Islam✅