The Ancient Religion Societies of African Descendants International Council, the umbrella body for all indigenous African religions, has warned those it described as “Islamic extremists” in Ilorin, Kwara State over the harassment and provocation of its members in the state.
On July 1 a Muslim group, Majlisu Shabab li Ulamahu Society, in Ilorin, Kwara state stormed the residence of a traditional religion priestess, Yeye Omolara Ajesekemi, to impose a ban on any form of Isese festival in five local governments in the state.
Isese, the Yoruba word for tradition, is used to denote different kinds of festivals held by adherents of the Yoruba traditional religion in Nigeria and Cuba, Brazil, the United States, Benin, and other countries.
The group listed four local governments in the state where any form of traditional religion is prohibited. The local governments are Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Asa.
The group warned a young woman who attended to them at the priestess’ residence that the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, sent them to convey the warning.
However, in a statement released by the president of ARSADIC, Aare (Dr) Ifagbenusola Atanda, on Monday, stressed the need to discourage religious fundamentalism in any part of the country.
Atanda condemned the actions of the Majlisu Shabab li Ulamahu Society and the spokesperson for the Emir of Ilorin, Abdulazeez Arowona, for threatening the priestess and stopping her from organising the Isese festival in the town.
The statement firmly asserted the rights of traditional religion adherents to freedom of religion and association, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
Atanda reaffirmed the commitment of the indigenous religious community to non-offensive interactions with other faiths while warning against any encroachment on their religious rights.
The ARSADIC president stressed that Ilorin, as part of Kwara State, is an integral component of Nigeria, and they are prepared to defend their faith.
“We will never fold our arms and allow extremists in any guise to deny us our God-given rights, supported by the laws of Nigeria as a secular state,” declared Atanda. “We are quite aware that Ilorin, Kwara State is an integral part of Nigeria, and we are ready to defend our faith.
“Yeye Omolara Ajesekemi has our support at all times to practice her faith, the traditional religion, which bonds all of us together. And as the tenets of our faith have taught us to be pious, law-abiding, accommodating of other religions, and value humanity, we will refuse to be intimidated and humiliated by any group or anybody.”
Atanda called upon the state government, led by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and all security agencies to intervene and fulfil their constitutional duty of safeguarding lives and property.
The PUNCH
