Have you ever seen that the Sultan has a powerful affect on Muslims throughout Nigeria? Have you ever additionally seen that Muslims look as much as him for important selections? We will let you know why. The emergence of the Sultan of Sokoto because the President of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affair (NSCIA) at a merger assembly by the Northern and Western Islamic our bodies in Kaduna in 1973 laid the muse for this.

The assembly didn’t solely unify the 2 councils, but additionally promoted coordination, ended disorderliness and cacophony of reverse voices within the working of the affairs of Muslims within the nation. The Sultan of Sokoto because the President was imbued with authority to present the ultimate say and bidding on the affairs of Muslims in Nigeria.

He points statements (press statements) on marking of anniversaries, holding ceremonies by the devoted.

Celebrations reminiscent of Eid-el-Kabir, Eid-el-Fitir and Commemoration of Prophet Muhammed’s birthday are marked in compliance along with his directive. Earlier than the Kaduna unification assembly, every of the our bodies working the affairs of Muslims and their faith, Islam was impartial and there was session or coordination on any situation and matter that made the faith tick. NSCIA is the Islamic authority that the federal government (Federal and State) recognised and offers with on issues reminiscent of pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina and different associated affairs that guarantee promotion of the faith that make issues and apply of Islam snug for Muslims.

Earlier than the 1973 merger, which led to organising of a coordinating our bodies to advertise, protect and provides the faith a deserving weight and standing within the society to stream line its actions, there was confusion amongst devoted as celebration and marking of festivals have been held on totally different days. This, observers stated was not unconnected with the utilizing of the moon to repair days for celebrations. Celebration Eid-el-Fitri and Eid-el-Kabir have been held on totally different days. First, the Northern and Western Muslims weren’t on the identical web page on the difficulty of marking of celebrations. On a number of events previously, the 2 main Islamic celebrations Eid-el-Fitir and Eid-el-Kabir have been held on totally different days. It was not a shock that non-Muslims used to taunt and mock the devoted on what was thought to be absence of coordination.

The NSCIA has largely put an finish to this confusion. Session is now the order of the day because the management of NSCIA engages in broad session throughout Nigeria to keep away from pointless haggling on celebration days.

Muslims in Nigeria might be divided into three distinct teams. The caliphate group that has its headquarters in Sokoto; the Elkanem-Borno group has its headquarters in Maiduguri, whereas the Yoruba Muslims’ headquarters is in Ibadan. The caliphate group boasts of the biggest mass of the devoted. That the Fulani couldn’t defeat the Kanuri folks within the phoney non secular warfare regardless of their massive military was the rationale the caliphate couldn’t deliver the Kanuri folks beneath their management. The Fulani, nonetheless, nonetheless have an edge when it comes to inhabitants.

In land mass, Usman Dan Fodio has succeeded in bringing a big territory beneath his management. By the tip of 1808, when he had captured all of the Hausa kingdoms, historical past recognised that he was ruling one of many largest territories in Africa. From this attitude, Dan Fodio had the biggest Islamic caliphate in Africa beneath his management. If democratic practise which asserts that almost all has its manner, whereas the minority has its manner is embraced, there isn’t any Muslim group in Nigeria that may contest the management of Muslims towards the Sokoto caliphate. That, maybe, was the rationale the Sultan of Sokoto was unanimously decide to be the President of NSCIA in Kaduna in 1973.

Until date, no different Muslims from both the Yoruba or the Kanuri inventory in Nigeria has produced NSCIA’s president. In a phrase, Sokoto has been recognised by one and all as not solely the capital of the Sultanate, but additionally the headquarters of Islamic devoted that provides the President of NSCIA. In different phrases, solely the descendants of Usman Dan Fodio are entitled to grow to be not solely the Sultan but additionally the President of the NSCIA.

Thus the President of NSCIA is the voice of Muslims in Nigeria. The devoted recognise, settle for the hierarchical order made doable by the dimensions and inhabitants of the Sultanate Muslim. Beneath the Sultan of Sokoto are many emirs who recognise his superiority and unmatched eminence within the Muslim world in Nigeria. It’s, due to this fact, not sheer adulation or phantom of self conceitedness that affect and energy of the Sultan of Sokoto on Muslims affairs and relations are eminence from all Islamic views of life.

– Tajudeen Adigun

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