Eleojo Samuel Jalingo
The Kuteb Muslim Development Association (KMDA) said that the proposed demolition of Takum Central Mosque by the Taraba State Government is an affront on the traditional worship history of the Kuteb Muslims worldwide.
State Chairman of the Community, Alhaji Bako Mairiga made this known while briefing the media in Jalingo on Sunday.
He recalled that the history of the Takum Central Mosque dated back to 1912 when Ukwe Ahmadu Gankwe, who already was Ukwe, was anointed, appointed and installed as the Paramount Ruler of Takum in 1914.
“Being a Muslim, the Kuteb people saw the need to build the Takum Central Mosque next to the Palace of Ukwe Takum to enable him and other Muslims in Takum worship there.
“Ukwe Ahmadu Gankwe being a devoted Muslim, his Kuteb brothers all over the 12 surrounding Clans who were already participating in the construction of the Palace fence, assisted in building the Central Mosque, the Worship place of their paramount leader.
“Since then, the Mosque has gone through series of renovations by successive Ukwe Takum culminating in the major one and re-structuring by late Ukwe Aliyu Ibrahim II of blessed memory.
” He actually upgraded the standard of the Mosque which was commissioned by SHEIK DAHIRU USMAN BAUCHI in the 80s. The said Sheikh is still alive and can attest to this,” he said.
Mairiga also debunked the claimed by Chamba Muslim Youth that the Kuteb in Takum once demolished a mosque in Takum and killed worshippers.
“As for the malicious and wicked lies being peddled by the Chamba Muslim Youth that Kuteb people once demolished a Mosque in Takum and killed Worshippers, we call on the entire Muslims and the general public to disregard this.
“We wish to place on record that there are several Mosques scattered all over the Kuteb land e.g. Lissam, Rufu, Kwesati and other Kuteb Villages.
“This is despite the fact that the Kuteb Nation has and is still suffering from banditry attacks, none of these Mosques has been tampered with or demolished.
“As a matter of fact, all these Mosques in Kuteb Villages are still standing, functioning and Muslim faithfuls do worship in them peacefully.
“These lies are being propagated to mislead the Muslim Ummah and the general public is wholly hereby debunked. It is therefore naive for any person or group of persons to think that Kuteb people once destroyed a Mosque in Takum and killed Worshippers,” he said.
Mairiga called on the Muslim world wide to intervene and stop the Taraba government from demolishing the Takum Central Mosque.
He noted the insincerity on the part of the state government as it officials had given inconsistent defence to convince the general public as to why they have proposed to carry out the demolition of the mosque.
“It is worthy to note that there is a great contradiction on the proposed Demolition of the Central Mosque and Ukwe Palace as depicted by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Taraba State on Islamic Affairs and the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Re-orientation. Whereas the S. A. states:
“I want to clarify that any demolition occurs is aimed at promoting the development and welfare of our Muslim brothers and Sisters in Takum and beyond, this initiative has been welcomed by our Community”.
The Hon. Commissioner for Information on the other hand states:
“Government has no plan to demolish the Takum Central Mosque and the Palace”.
“This variance has placed the Muslim Ummah at a cross road as the Takum Central Mosque is currently undergoing renovation by the Takum Central Mosque Committee.
“The Committee cannot be renovating the Mosque and at the same time be said to have agreed that the same Mosque be demolished or relocated.
“We are further calling on the Muslim world to note that a tribal Muslim cannot be said to have the mandate of Muslim Ummah (Community) where people have interest to serve abound in such a Muslim Community.
“The Holy Quran call such people Munafiqun. Muslim Community should speak for the Muslim Community in Takum.
“We want the entire Muslim Ummah and the World to know that Kuteb Muslims Development Association is a registered Wing of Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria (KYN), an umbrella body of Kuteb World-Wide, whether in America, United Kingdom, Asian Countries, Arab Counties, Muslim, Christian, Atheists or Traditional Worshippers.
” The KYN is the mouthpiece of all Kuteb Sons and Daughters the World over to stand for, protect and defend the interests of her members. It is a gross misconception and mischievous for any person or group of persons to think that the influence of KYN is restricted to any region of the world,” he said.