NSCIA Appoints Five New Imams to National Mosque, Including Two from Southeast
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has announced the appointment of five new Imams to the Abuja National Mosque, marking a significant step toward fostering inclusivity and regional diversity within the Muslim community. Among the appointees, two are from the Southeast, reflecting the NSCIA’s commitment to unifying Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups and ensuring fair representation.
The announcement was made at a press conference held on December 10, 2024, at the NSCIA Boardroom in the National Mosque Complex, Abuja. During the event, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the NSCIA Secretary-General, elaborated on the appointment process and highlighted the importance of these new leadership positions.
The newly appointed Imams include Prof. Ilyasu Usman (visiting), Prof. Luqman Zakariyah (resident), Sheikh Abdulkadir Salman, PhD (visiting), Barr. Haroun Muhammad Eze (resident), and Prof. Khalid Aliyu Abubakar (visiting). Their appointments followed approval from the General Purpose Committee (GPC), the Expanded General Purpose Committee (EGPC), and clearance from the National Fatwa Committee.
Prof. Oloyede emphasized that these appointments are part of a broader strategy to strengthen the Abuja National Mosque, a center for worship, education, and Islamic scholarship. He explained that the inclusion of Imams from diverse regions, including the Southeast, was based on merit and aimed to promote unity within the Muslim community, ensuring that all parts of Nigeria are represented.
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who serves as the President-General of the NSCIA, was acknowledged for his leadership in ensuring fair and inclusive representation within the mosque’s administration.
Prof. Oloyede also reflected on the significant strides made under the leadership of the current Sultan of Sokoto, who has worked tirelessly to unify the Muslim community across Nigeria. He recalled the initial concerns when the Sultan prayed behind a Yoruba Imam, which had been sensationalized, yet this gesture was a symbol of his leadership in bridging divides.
The newly appointed Imams from the Southeast, particularly Prof. Ilyasu Usman, shared their thoughts on aligning cultural practices with Islamic teachings. While acknowledging the positive aspects of different cultures, they stressed the importance of rejecting practices that conflict with Islamic values, such as idol worship and alcohol consumption, while embracing cultural values that promote community and brotherhood.
The NSCIA’s ongoing leadership reforms at the Abuja National Mosque began in 1984, with the latest appointments representing a continued effort to enhance the mosque’s leadership and its role in unifying the Muslim Ummah.
In conclusion, the NSCIA reaffirmed its dedication to Islam’s unifying power, transcending regional, ethnic, and cultural differences, while emphasizing the importance of Islamic values above divisive identity labels.
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