Ondo League of Imams and Alfas commends Akeredolu •For reversing conversion of hajj camp into Ebola centre

THE League of Imams and Alfas in Ondo State has commended Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for returning the hajj camp to Muslims in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the chairman, Alhaji Ahmad Aladesawe, described the return of the camp, which had been converted into Ebola centre, to its original status as a welcome development.

Aladesawe, who is the Chief Imam of Owo, during a visit of the group to the new chairman of the Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim wing) in the state, Mr Khaleel Fawehinmi, in his office in Akure, urged Muslims in the state to reciprocate the gesture of the governor by supporting his administration.

He called on Muslim leaders in the state to pray for the success of the administration and challenged them to ensure unity of purpose, saying enormous gain and strength lied in togetherness.

Fawehinmi expressed appreciation to the clerics for the visit and used the occasion to call on preachers to focus of messages of peace and cooperation among adherents of Islam.

He said Governor Akeredolu had interrogated the matter and seen the need “to return the hajj camp that was surreptitiously taken away from us by the immediate past administration.”

The board chairman gave the assurance that “my tenure is going to be an all-inclusive one. I will make vigorous efforts to touch all Muslims in the nooks and crannies of the state. The League of Imams and Alfas will be more involved in all activities.

“This is the time to forget the past and forge a common ground on all issues affecting us as a community. Our population, intellect, economic strength and potential must be used as bargaining tools in a civil, peaceful and orderly manner in ensuring that we are not short-changed in matters which affect us and our children,” Fawehinmi said.

He urged the clerics to come together and speak with one voice, saying, “We should be heard clearly by those at the helm of affairs. Our collective destiny lies in our hands and failure is not an option.”