Eid-al-Fitr: Kwara Muslims hold first prayer after late Chief Imam

Muslim faithful across Kwara State gathered on Friday at the Ilorin Emirate Central Praying Ground for the Eid-el-Fitr prayer, marking the end of Ramadan. The occasion was especially significant as it was the first Eid congregation since the passing of the late Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Soliu.

 

The prayer was led by Imam Imole of the Ilorin Emirate, Alhaji Abdullahi AbdulAmeen, who offered supplications for peace, unity, and progress in Kwara State and across Nigeria.

 

Sheikh Soliu, who passed away on January 19, 2026, at the age of 75, served as the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin Emirate since 1983 and was widely respected for his contributions to Islamic scholarship and community development.

 

The Eid gathering, attended by clerics, traditional leaders, and residents, featured reflections on the late Imam’s legacy, alongside calls for unity, moral discipline, and peaceful coexistence.

 

Speaking after the prayers, Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Security, Yusuf Gobir, emphasised the role of citizens in ensuring security. He urged residents to report suspicious activities and highlighted the benefits of state policing for better local intelligence and response.

 

Hon. Justice Moshood Oniye of the Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal encouraged Muslims to sustain the virtues of sacrifice, discipline, and generosity beyond Ramadan. He stressed that continued moral conduct contributes to societal peace and security.

 

Traditional leaders and clerics, including Chief Imam Soliu Orire at Olorunsogo Central Mosque, called on residents to uphold Islamic teachings through good character, mutual support, and compassion. They urged the faithful to maintain the discipline and devotion cultivated during Ramadan.

 

Senator Saliu Mustapha and PDP aspirant Azeez Jaji echoed calls for unity, community responsibility, and peace, encouraging residents to work together to ensure safety and social cohesion.

 

Overall, Eid celebrations across Kwara State were largely peaceful, with prayers and community reflections reinforcing a renewed commitment to harmony and moral uprightness.