The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has warned residents of the Ilorin Emirate to desist from any acts that are alien to Islamic cultures and traditions.
The Emir gave the warning in his Sallah message delivered shortly after the two-Rakat prayer marking the 2023 Eid-El-Kabir celebrations, led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhamid.
In his message, the Emir said no idolatry event should be held within the Ilorin Emirate, stressing that organisers of such gatherings should consider any other location(s) far away from Ilorin Emirate.
He said, “Gathering at the Eid praying ground is to join me in performing religious obligations of thanking Almighty Allah for His numerous blessings on us and nothing that is against Islamic orientation should be attached to it.”
In his written address, the Emir commended the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for ensuring that peace and tranquillity continue to thrive in the state and urged the people to continue to be security conscious by being vigilant at all times.
The monarch said, “I thank Almighty Allah for increasing mutual understanding and the spirit of cooperation and love among our people, especially among our leaders. I also congratulated all Head security agents for performing their official responsibilities diligently.
“I thank the people of my Emirate for maintaining the traditional peaceful co-existence and harmony for which Ilorin Emirate is unique and reputed. I am using this opportunity to appeal to all Muslim faithful to sustain their religious obligations of living together in peace and harmony with fellow human beings.
“They should not be involved in any action(s) that can cause disunity among members of society.”
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari however, prayed for the souls of the dead and besieged Allah to grant them Al-Jannat ul Firdaus
He, therefore, wished those who have travelled to perform this year’s holy pilgrimage journey mercies and happy returns to their respective homes, saying: ” May the blessings of Eid-El-Kabir be upon us all.”
Muslims in their millions thronged Eid praying grounds on Wednesday for the Eid-ul-Adha prayers, with Governor AbdulRazaq urging them to be their brother’s keepers and work for the unity and development of the country.
In Ilorin, the capital city, the governor joined several other dignitaries at the central praying ground for the prayers, where Imam Imale led the proceedings.
He said: “We must first glorify Almighty Allah for allowing us to witness another Eid. Those that went to Hajj, we pray to Allah to bring them back safely. Our strength lies in our unity, and we should maximise such unity and peace that we enjoy to bring more development to our state,” the governor told reporters on the sidelines of the Eid.
“Our main message is for peace and tranquillity. Let’s be our brothers’ keepers. We all have hope in this country to attain greater heights.”
In his entourage were several dignitaries, lawmakers, and top government officials, including House of Representatives members Hon. Ahmed Yinka Aluko, Mukhtar Shagaya, and Prof Raheem Adaramaja, and Alhaji Jiddah Abdulrazaq, among several others.
