Mixed Reactions Over De-Damak’s Emergence As Aare Musulumi Of Yoruba

Mixed reactions have followed the appointment of Alhaji Dawud Akinola aka De –Damak as the new Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland following the alleged unanimous decisions of Council of Imams and Alfas in the South Western States to install him as many people believe that he lacks the resources to match the achievements of the late Abdul- Azeez Arisekola Alao.

A cross section of Muslims, who spoke with Pacesetters were opposed to the appointment, as they claimed that the position should have been contested among philanthropies in Yorubaland and that the newly appointed Aare is not known to many people in the South West.

They also said that clerics in other states were not informed about the choice of Alhaji Dawud Akinola, and that those who made the appointment should, as a matter of urgency, do what is required of them to have a common candidate to fill the gap left behind by Arisekola.

A prominent Islamic cleric from the State of Osun, who spoke under anonymity said that the likes of Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle or any of the siblings of the late Alhaji Wahab Iyanda Folawiyo should have been considered for the exalted position based on their contributions to the upliftment of Islam, not only in the south West, but in the country at large.

While claiming that his response was not because he hates Akinola, he noted that he should have been made the Aare Musulumi of Ibadanland before becoming that of Yorubaland to prepare him for the task ahead.

“How many people can he send on holy pilgrimage yearly? Can he feed over 10,000 people daily in the month of Ramadan” the task will be too enormous for him, “he said.

Another cleric, who also preferred not to be mentioned, stated that all the Aare Musulumi from each of the South West states and cities should have been allowed to come together with the council of imams and alfas before the selection of Akinola and that whoever is eventually selected will be supported by others.

He also disclosed that the vacuum created by the demise of Arisekola will be difficult to fill as a result of what he spent to propagate Islam and attending to the financial needs of the masses.
“Have you heard of any Aare Ona Kakanfo since the death of Chief Moshood Olawale Kasimawo Abiola? Those people are special creatures and they are rare,” he said.

Meanwhile the Spiritual Head and Founder of Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide, Alhaji (Prof.) Sabit Ariyo Olagoke (JP) has congratulated the new Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawud Akinola on his recent appointment.

Prof. Olagoke urged him to continue to work for the growth of Islam and make the welfare of Muslims paramount as a way of continuing from where the late Aare Arisekola Alao stopped, while urging him not to disappoint the people, who appointed him to the exalted position.

“I want him to emulate the good works of Aare Arisekola, while alive and he should not allow politicians to ridicule the highest Islamic position in Yorubaland as destiny has made him to become the father of all politicians,” he said.

It would be recalled that the position of the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland became vacant after the death of Aare Arisekola Alao.