Isese worshippers can have their day, but do not represent Yoruba people — Muslim Cleric

A cleric and lecturer at the Department of Islamic Studies at Crescent University, Dr. Idris Oni, has enjoined Muslims of Yoruba origin to distance themselves from the celebration of Isese day.

The don disclosed this in a lengthy statement released on his X (Formerly Twitter) account on Monday.

According to him, partaking in the festival is an act of ‘Kufr’ (unbelief) and should be totally avoided by all Yoruba Muslims.

He argued that although being a Muslim does not stop one from being Yoruba, the special day does not represent the Yoruba tradition but rather represents idolatry.

He added that it would have been better if the day had included the celebration of Yoruba culture, language, and history.

The cleric continued that the day only celebrates the idolatry section of Yoruba culture, and any Yoruba joining those celebrating it is directly supporting Kufr.

He wrote, “As a Yoruba Muslim, you have absolutely nothing to do with Iṣẹṣe  or Iṣẹṣe Day. Being a Muslim does not remove you from being Yoruba but partaking in acts of Kufr or liking it makes you a Kāfir. If this day had been called Yoruba Day, it would have represented Yoruba.

“As Yoruba Day, it would have included studies of Yoruba history, language, culture, people, values and so on. Every Yoruba irrespective of our faiths would have felt a sense of belonging and promote it generally. 

Hence, it is a Day meant for Yoruba idolaters alone.

“Thus, Iṣẹṣe Day is a celebration of the beliefs of only a particular section of the Yoruba people. Iṣẹṣe Day represents Ibọriṣa (idolatry) and all that it entails. If you are supporting it, you are supporting Kufr. Let the Kuffār have their day but do NOT join them.

“Yoruba as a language and a culture would never be preserved by Iṣẹṣe. It would be preserved only through teaching, learning, speaking, and writing it. It would be preserved through acting as the Omoluabi that we are, extolling the values of Omoluabi in dressing and actions.

“Yoruba is NOT idolatry. Idol worship did not emanate from our ancestors and it is NEVER indigenous to us. Among us today are Muslims, Christians and idol worshippers. The idol worshippers (Oniṣẹṣe) can have their Day but they represent themselves only, NOT the Yoruba people.”