President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside notable Nigerian politicians, Islamic clerics, and industry leaders, joined the Fidau prayers held on Sunday, December 8, in honour of the late Sheikh Muydeen Ajani Bello, a renowned Islamic preacher.
Tinubu was represented at the occasion held at the main bowl of Lekan Salami stadium, Adamasingba by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hazmat, and former Inspector General of Police, Musilu Smith.
Other dignitaries in attendance include Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Barr. Bayo Lawal who stood in for Gov. Seyi Makinde, representative of Osun state governor, Alhaji Kanaldeen Adekilekun, Representative of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON) Prince Anafi Elegushi, and Alhaji Kamil Oloso.
Prominent Islamic leaders, including the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Ajigbotomokekere, and Ansar-U-Deen National Missioner, Sheikh Abdulrahman Olanrewaju, also attended.
In his address, Sheikh Olanrewaju highlighted Islamic teachings against elaborate funeral ceremonies, emphasizing the simplicity mandated in Islam. He reiterated that neither the Quran nor Hadith supports practices like third, eighth, or 40th-day prayers for the dead. Sheikh Bello, during his lifetime, advocated against extravagant burial practices, urging adherence to Islamic principles.
The event underscored Sheikh Bello’s impactful legacy and the principles he championed in his lifetime.
“It will be counted against us as sin if we (followers) do contrary especially now that he is gone
“Also, there is no section of either Koran or Hadith that supports 3rd, 8th or 40th Fidau prayers. We are only mixing culture with religion.
“We are not doing any sermon here today so that we will not be misquoted that what Sheikh Bello preached again his lifetime is what we are doing.”
