What Muslim Ummah ‘ll miss in Imam Mohammed’s exit

Eminent Muslim scholars across the country have continued to mourn the death of the Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja, Alhaji Musa Mohammed. The foremost cleric passed on last Saturday at the age of 68. He had since been buried.

The Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola, condole the entire Nigerian Muslim community and the Abuja Muslim jamaah whom the late Chief Imam had led and served most fervently during his lifetime.

He said: “Alhaji Muhammed dedicated his whole life to the service of Almighty Allah. He was a great scholar of Islam who led a simple and ascetic life. His death will serve as a lesson to Nigerians on the need to shun materialism and to move closer to the unseen Creator.

His death will definitely leave yawning lacuna particularly in Abuja Muslim community.   Akintola however charges Nigerian Muslims to use the occasion of his death to forge greater unity in the Muslim Ummah and promote peaceful coexistence with non-Muslims.

“We pray that Almighty Allah will forgive the late Chief Imam’s shortcomings and shower His mercy on him. We also pray that Allah gives his family the strength to bear the loss,” he said.

Secretar-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, had earlier in his condolence message said the late Imam would be remembered for his humility and yearning for knowledge.

He said the Muslim community in Nigeria would miss his wealth of knowledge, admonitions and service to the humanity.    The leadership of Nasrul-lahil Fathi Society (NASFAT) described the late Imam as a symbol of unity among various religious bodies in the country.   President of NASFAT, Engr Kamil Yomi Bolarinwa, and the Publicity Secretary, Banji Busari, stated that the entire membership feels a great sense of grief and loss by the demise of the renowned Islamic cleric.

According to the two officials, the death of Ustaz Musa Mohammed will, no doubt, create a big vacuum in the polity particularly the Islamic fold where he was a symbol of guidance.

They said the deceased would certainly be missed for his sermons which centered largely on love, peace and unity among the people of the country.    While NASFAT joins other Nigerians to mourn his passage, Alhaji Bolarinwa prayed that Allah forgive his shortcomings as well as grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss The late Imam was born on April 11, 1947. He hailed from Jos North in Plateau State.

He became the acting Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque in 1991 and was later confirmed the substantive Imam in 2009 by the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of NSCIA, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar with the appointment of three deputy Chief Imams. He left behind four wives and 14 children.