The League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land has issued a disclaimer warning individuals and groups against conferring Islamic chieftaincy titles without the approval of its constituted leadership. This move aims to prevent confusion over the identity, meaning, and authority attached to these titles. The league, established in 1964, has served as an umbrella institution for Imams, Alfas, and Muslim communities across Yoruba Land for over six decades.
The warning was necessitated by the activities of a society or group presenting itself as having the authority to confer Islamic chieftaincy titles traditionally associated with the League. The league expressed concern that certain individuals or groups had embarked on conferring titles that bear resemblance to or are identical with distinguished Islamic chieftaincy titles historically conferred by the constituted leadership of the League.
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land was established through the initiative of Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory and other founding fathers across the then Western Region. The league has worked to promote Islamic brotherhood, unity, peace, moderation, mutual respect, and harmonious coexistence among Muslims and other communities. It has historically used the conferment of titles to recognise Muslims for outstanding service, commitment, sacrifice, and contributions to Islam and the welfare of the Muslim Ummah in Yoruba Land.
According to the statement, no individual, society, association, or group is authorised to represent itself as an organ, affiliate, representative, or authorised arm of the League without the express approval of its constituted leadership. The league also stated that anyone purporting to confer its established Islamic chieftaincy titles without authority should not be understood or represented as acting on behalf of the League.
The organisation expressed particular concern about situations where titles historically reserved for distinguished members of the Muslim Ummah were reproduced or conferred indiscriminately, including where the recipient might not be a Muslim. The league urged Muslims, traditional rulers, community leaders, government authorities, corporate organisations, philanthropists, and members of the public to verify claims that individuals or organisations were acting under the authority or mandate of the League.
The league, however, clarified that its position was not directed against any individual and that it was not opposed to legitimate recognition of deserving Nigerians by lawful societies, traditional institutions, or community organisations. Every organisation remains free to operate within its lawful sphere and to create its own appropriate honours. The league advised anyone seeking to use, reproduce, confer, or publicly associate any of its established Islamic chieftaincy titles with their activities to obtain clarification and written approval from its constituted leadership before proceeding.
The statement was jointly signed by prominent Muslim leaders, including Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, President of the league, and other senior Muslim leaders across the South-West. The league's concern is with the use or reproduction of established titles associated with it in a manner capable of making the public believe that such titles were conferred, approved, or originated from the League when they were not.
Key points
- The League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land warns against unauthorised conferment of Islamic chieftaincy titles.
- The league seeks to prevent confusion over the identity, meaning, and authority attached to these titles.
- The warning aims to protect the integrity and legitimacy of Islamic chieftaincy titles in Yoruba Land.
