The Kwara State Council of Ulamah under its Chairmanship and Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alh. Dr. Mohammed Bashir Imam Solihu has frowned against staging of Isese Festival anywhere in Ilorin by the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR)
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, the Executive Secretary of the Council, Alh. Muhammed Solihu Olohuntoyin, described such activities as a pollution of peace and tranquility of the community. He also described it as an invasion and act of cultural imperialism.
Alh. Solihu noted that the people of Ilorin Emirate cannot be coerced by any person or group of persons claiming to be representing intellectualism or atheistic practices to destroy what their forefathers had fought for.
He considered Ilorin as a place that will not tolerate and or entertain such atheistic festival.
He noted that the people of Ilorin Emirate are not against the celebration of Isese Festival, however, they have nothing to do with such celebration.
He pleaded to the Kwara State gov AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to caution the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) to desist from such celebration in Ilorin.
Speaking further, he urged the state government to direct security agencies to maintain peace and serenity of the state
He equally urged all stakeholders to guide against anything that will distrupt the well established peace and harmony of the city especially by the non-resident of the city.
He however, enjoined the organizers to kindly take the event elsewhere in the interest of peace and peaceful co-existence.
“For more that 200 years, Ilorin has been known as a sanctuary of Islam and city renowned for islamic faith, practice, spirituality and knowledge. The city has always been known for peace and tranquility”.
Ilorin has its own tradition and culture, which is Islam, and that must be respected . However, any act contrary that will lead to catastrophic consequences, he added.
