Prominent Muslim clerics, scholars and community leaders from Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States have inaugurated the League of Imams and Alfas Yorubaland, Edo and Delta (ROOBITOH), urging greater unity among Muslims and reaffirming their commitment to authentic Islamic scholarship and community development.
The inauguration, held on Saturday at Yinbol College, Orogun, Ibadan, Oyo State, attracted Chief Imams, Islamic scholars, academics, traditional rulers, government officials, security agencies and representatives of Muslim organisations from across the three regions.
At the end of the event, participants adopted a communiqué outlining the vision of the new body, which is themed “Unity, Leadership, and Progress: Advancing the Ummah Across Regional Frontiers.”
The League said its establishment was aimed at strengthening the unity of Muslims while promoting sound Islamic teachings.
According to the communiqué, “ROOBITOH reaffirms that it is firmly established upon the pure creed of Tawḥīd, the Noble Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah according to the understanding of the righteous predecessors.”
It added that the organisation “shall remain committed to preserving the unity of the Muslim Ummah while rejecting sectarianism, extremism and every form of unnecessary division.”
The participants urged Imams, Alfas, scholars and Islamic organisations to embrace cooperation in the interest of the Muslim community.
“The League called upon all Muslims, particularly Imams, Alfas, scholars, Islamic organisations and community leaders, to strengthen brotherhood, mutual respect, consultation and cooperation upon righteousness and piety for the advancement of Islam and the development of the Muslim Ummah,” the communiqué stated.
The newly inaugurated body also unveiled plans to organise regular conferences, seminars, workshops, Dawrah and leadership development programmes to improve the competence of Islamic scholars and preachers across the region.
It further approved the establishment of a Fatāwā and Research Council to issue authentic Islamic rulings, conduct research and provide guidance on contemporary issues affecting Muslims.
On welfare, the League pledged to prioritise the spiritual, educational, social and economic development of Muslims.
“The spiritual, educational, social and economic welfare of Muslims shall remain one of its foremost priorities,” the communiqué said, adding that programmes would be introduced to improve the welfare of Imams and Alfas, strengthen Islamic education, promote economic empowerment and support vulnerable members of the Muslim community.
The League also announced plans to commence a comprehensive membership registration exercise and create a database of Imams, Alfas, Islamic scholars and Islamic institutions throughout Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States.
It pledged to work closely with major Muslim organisations, including the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), MUSWEN, NACOMYO, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), to advance the collective interests of Muslims.
Participants equally stressed the need to mentor young Islamic scholars and emerging leaders through structured educational and leadership programmes to ensure continuity in Islamic scholarship.
The communiqué declared ROOBITOH officially inaugurated and operational, saying the League “shall henceforth serve as a platform for unity, authentic Islamic scholarship, consultation, advocacy and the promotion of the spiritual and worldly welfare of the Muslim Ummah throughout Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States.”
The communiqué was signed by the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Ash-Shaykh Engr. AbdulHakeem Demola Raji, Grand Chief Imam of Sepeteri Land, who expressed appreciation to scholars, traditional rulers, government officials, security agencies, donors and participants for contributing to the successful inauguration of the League.