Gov AbdulRazaq, Islamic scholars, others attend burial of late Chief Imam Sheikh Bashir

It was a mourning Tuesday in Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara, as thousands of Muslim faithful and dignitaries from within and outside the state thronged the town for the burial of the Chief Imam, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu.

The Islamic leader died on Monday at the age of 75.

According to s statement from the Government House signed by Mashood Abdulrafiu Agboola, Deputy Chief Press Secretary on Tuesday the burial was witnessed by a large crowd.

The funeral prayer was led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Sheikh Abdullahi Abdulhameed, at the forecourt of the Palace of the Emir and Chairman, State Council of Chiefs, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR.

Extolling the virtues of the late scholar, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq called him an eminent global scholar of repute and a man of impeccable character.

“Our late father, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Dr. Muhammad Bashir, was an eminent global scholar of repute. He was a man of impeccable character of proven integrity; a role model to Muslims.

He is somebody that the entire Muslim ummah will miss greatly,” the Governor said through his Senior Adviser and Counselor Alhaji Sa’adu Salau, who represented him.

“Chief Imam was very generous and passionate about peaceful coexistence between Muslims and non-Muslims, between indigents of the Emirates and the state and those who have come to stay with us.

“He was somebody who inspired a lot of the younger generation into Islamic scholarship, education, peaceful community existence, ensuring that we all live together as brothers and sisters without rancour. The entire people of Ilorin will miss him greatly.”

The Governor prayed for the repose of the deceased and condoled with the Emir and members of the Council of Ulama in the Emirate and the people of Ilorin and the entire state.