By Adeola Badru

The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has firmly distanced itself from any organisation or individual promoting division, hatred, extremism, intolerance or ideologies contrary to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah, declaring that such persons cannot speak on behalf of the respected Islamic body.

The League, regarded as the foremost umbrella body of Muslim scholars, Chief Imams, Alfas and Islamic leaders across South-West Nigeria, reaffirmed its commitment to moderation, unity, peaceful coexistence and sound Islamic scholarship, stressing that these principles have guided its activities since its establishment in 1964.

The declaration was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Monday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The statement was jointly signed by the President of the League and Chief Imam of Ekiti State, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere; Vice President and Chief Imam of Ogun State, Sheikh Saadullah Bamgbola; Life Grand Patron and Chief Imam of Oyo State, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Agbotomokekere; Chief Imam of Osun State, Sheikh Musa Rabiu Animasahun; Chief Imam of Ondo State, Sheikh AbdulHakeem Yayi Akorede; Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division and Chairman, Rabita Lagos, Sheikh Seifudeen Oloworibi Ademoritan; Mudiru-l-Markaz and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory; Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola; and Secretary-General of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Sheikh Mustapha Oseni Adewale Hamzat.

The League said its attention had been drawn to the activities of certain individuals and groups allegedly presenting themselves as extensions, affiliates, organs or representative bodies of the League established in 1964.

It categorically stated that such groups and individuals are neither recognised nor authorised by the League and have no affiliation whatsoever with the organisation.

According to the League, it bears no responsibility for the activities, statements, teachings, publications, pronouncements or actions of such persons or groups.

The organisation further maintained that any claim suggesting that such individuals or organisations are representatives, branches, organs, extensions or successors of the League is false, misleading and should be disregarded by the public.

In the statement, the League said: “The League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land, the foremost and apex umbrella body of Muslim scholars, Chief Imams, Alfas, Islamic leaders and stakeholders across the South-West of Nigeria, hereby issues this official disclaimer to clarify its position regarding certain groups and individuals who have recently been parading themselves as an extension, affiliate, organ, or representative body of the League established in 1964.”

It explained that the organisation was established in 1964 through the efforts and vision of renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory, alongside other distinguished Muslim scholars and leaders across the then Old Western Region of Nigeria.

The League stated: “The Executive Council, Elders, State Chairmen, Chief Imams, Alfas, and the entire members of The League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land, established in 1964 through the noble efforts and vision of the renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory, alongside other distinguished Muslim scholars and leaders across the then Old Western Region of Nigeria, hereby issue this official disclaimer and public notice.”

Reaffirming its founding ideals, the League noted: “Since its establishment in 1964, the League has remained a foremost Islamic umbrella body dedicated to the propagation of Islam based on the principles of moderation (Wasatiyyah), unity, peaceful coexistence, sound Islamic scholarship, and adherence to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).”

It added: “The League has consistently promoted Islamic values that encourage peace, mutual respect, religious tolerance, national unity, and constructive engagement with governments and communities at all levels.”

The organisation said it became necessary to issue the disclaimer following reports that certain individuals and groups had recently been presenting themselves as representatives or affiliates of the League.

“It has come to the attention of the leadership of the League that certain individuals and groups have recently been parading themselves as an extension, organ, affiliate, or representative body of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land established in 1964.”

The League therefore declared: “The League hereby categorically, unequivocally, and publicly declares that: Such individuals, associations, or groups are not recognized, authorized, affiliated, or connected with the League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land established in 1964.”

It continued: “The League does not share responsibility for their activities, statements, teachings, publications, pronouncements, or actions. Any claim by such persons or organizations suggesting that they are representatives, extensions, branches, organs, or successors of the League is false, misleading, and should be disregarded by the public.”

The League also distanced itself from any ideology or activity that undermines the principles upon which it was founded.

“The League dissociates itself completely from teachings, ideologies, utterances, and activities that contradict the authentic teachings of Islam, the Qur’an, the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and the established principles of moderation and centrism upon which the League was founded.”

Citing the Qur’an, the League added: “The League remains committed to the middle-path approach of Islam as commanded by Allah in the Holy Qur’an: ‘Thus We have made you a justly balanced nation (Ummatan Wasatan).’ (Qur’an 2:143).”

It also referenced a prophetic warning against extremism, stating: “The League equally upholds the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who warned against extremism and excessiveness in religious affairs, saying: ‘Beware of extremism in religion, for those before you were destroyed because of extremism in religion.’ (Reported by Ahmad, An-Nasa’i and Ibn Majah).”

The League stressed: “Any organization or individual whose teachings promote division, hatred, extremism, intolerance, discord, or any ideology contrary to the Qur’an and Sunnah cannot be regarded as speaking on behalf of the League established in 1964.”

As part of the disclaimer, the organisation called on Chief Imams across the six South-West states, Muslim traditional rulers, community leaders, Islamic organisations, the wider Muslim Ummah, government institutions at federal, state and local levels, security agencies and other stakeholders to take note of its position.

It emphasised that the League established in 1964 has no relationship whatsoever with any self-acclaimed association falsely presenting itself as an extension or organ of the organisation without the approval and recognition of its duly constituted leadership.

The disclaimer, the League said, applies across all six South-West states of the old Western Region—Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti.

Reaffirming its broader commitment to national cohesion and religious harmony, the League stated:

“The League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land remains steadfast in its commitment to Islamic unity, peaceful coexistence, scholarship, moral guidance, and the advancement of the Muslim Ummah in Yoruba Land and Nigeria as a whole.”

The organisation urged Muslims and members of the public to verify information and organisational claims through its officially recognised leadership structures and to disregard any unauthorised representation by individuals or groups acting outside its constitution, traditions and objectives.

“May Allah (SWT) continue to guide us upon truth, strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among Muslims, and preserve peace, harmony, and progress in Yoruba Land and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,“ the League prayed.