Ogbomoso is model ‘Chrislam’ city – Ayilara, leads prayer at old eid ground, Soun chiefs, Buhari, Egbeji, present
Abdulrasak BELLO
Large number of Muslim faithful Sunday morning observed the 2024 Eid al-Adha prayer at the old eid ground at General area, opposite LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, as Sheikh Ahmed Tijani Habeeb Mahmoud Ayilara, who led proceedings, declared Ogbomoso practices an hybrid of Islam and Christianity often dubbed ‘Chrislam.’
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Among the top shots at the old praying ground are some of the chiefs of Soun of Ogbomoso Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, High Chief Samuel Sobaloju Otolorin (the Areago), High Chief Salawu Ajadi (Jagun), High Chief Yusuf Ladipo (Abese) etc; Senator Abdulfatai Buhari; Alhaji Sirajudeen Parakoyi Adinni of Ogbomoso and head of Imam-in-Council; Onibapon of Ibapon, Oba Abdulyekeen Asifa; Alhaji Sulaiman Egbeji; Mufasir of Ogbomoso, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Abdulsalam Ayitaba; Mufti of Oyo state Alhaji Ismail Okumebo among others.
The Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the biggest Islamic holidays, which commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s test of faith through slaughtering ram or other livestock and distributing the meat to the poor. It’s a joyous occasion for which food is a hallmark where devout Muslims buy and slaughter animals and share two-thirds of the meat with the poor and it’s a revered observance that coincides with the final rites of the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
In his sermon Imam Ayilara who also led the Eid -el-Fitri prayer at the same venue, emphasized the significance of the festival saying it commemorates the test of faith of Prophet Ibrahim by Allah.
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“Prophet Ibrahim made a promise to God, when he had not had a child, to sacrifice him to God if he has one. God reminded him of the promise after he was given Ismail. He set to make the sacrifice in obedience but God provided a ram as replacement. It is a test of faith which Ibrahim passed. It is what we Muslims commemorate ever since.”
He added, “Granting of Surat marked the occasion. Slaughtering of ram is important because it comes with rewards, one, evil will be driven away from the Muslim who slaughters ram, here on earth and in aljanah, and that person will be considered a true follower of Allah. It is not as if God will eat the meat or use the blood from the animal but it signifies our aspiration for him.”
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The cleric however explaining how the meat should be distributed noted other animals like camel, cow, goat or sheep could be slaughtered if one cannot afford ram.
“The meat after slaughtering is divided into three, one part to one’s family, another to associates and the third part to the needy and one should not expect gratitude from the beneficiaries.”
He now underlined, “Sadness was the origin of this festival but it turned to joy. I pray our grief among Muslims in Ogbomoso shall be turned into happiness,” he stated.
In a Durbar-like procession, the faithful proceeded to the palace of Soun at Oja’gbo after the prayer.
Meanwhile, during an interview at the Soun palace, Ayilara observed the religion practiced in Ogbomoso is “Chrislam,” positing that harmony is entrenched among the three main religions of Islam, Christianity and African Traditional Religion.
The cleric described the scenario as a model that must be upheld noting it fosters unity and religious understanding.
“We practice Chrislam in Ogbomoso. Every religion adherent – Muslims, Christians, African Traditional Religionists, celebrate together, we cooperate, there is harmony,” he asserted.
He compared the scenario with what happens in Mecca saying Prophet Mohammed related well with non-Muslims.
“Islam in Ogbomoso is like that of Mecca, Prophet Muhammed (SWT) associated well with Christians and traditionalists, he did not discriminate. Our eid prayer in Ogbomoso also, see the number of Christians and traditionalists that attended. That is how it should be.”
He also noted, “Any Islamic leader that condemns eating of Christmas food is a divisive individual, nothing like that. A Muslim should promote religious harmony by uttering non-contentious words, we should eschew divisive words.
“In Ogbomoso, we have an Oba who embraces all religions. We should be at peace with one another.”
Ayilara also frowned at what he called the wrong use of the word “Kafiri.”
He submitted, “We should be mindful of our words, non-Muslims should not be called kafiri, Allah does not call anyone kafiri, it is a term used for someone who is a Muslim, and is conversant with the Quran but not living according to its precept and refrains from following Allah. Such is kafiri.”
