Eldest surviving son to late Ilorin Mufti, Kamaldeen dies at 82

By Mumini AbdulKareem
The eldest surviving son to the first Grand Mufti of Ilorin, late Baba Kamaldeen Al-Adabbiy, Sheikh Ahmed Olayiwola Kamaldeen is dead.
He died on Friday in Ilorin at the age of 82 and was the Khalifatul Adabiyah Kamaliyah society worldwide. He has since been buried in accordance with Islamic injunction same day.
His Fidau will hold Tuesday (tomorrow) at his the family compound, Okekere, Ilorin West Local Government begging from 10: am according to family sources.
A member of the Kwara State Council of Ulama, the late Islamic scholar was also a former commissioner and permanent secretary in the state before he retired.
Since the incidence, prominent sons and daughters of Ilorin Emirate have mourned the late Kamaldeen describing him as an epitome of humility.
Emir of Ilorin and chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari in a condolence message on Friday by his media aide, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona commiserated with the entire Muslim Ummah especially the Adabiyah Islamic group worldwide.
He described the deceased as a retired civil servant of repute before he later ascended the position of his late father and acknowledge his tremendous contributions as a member of Ilorin Emirate Council of Ulamau in a bid to further uphold the Islamic doctrines and promotion of the religious culture, moral values and heritage of Ilorin community.
“He was known for his humility, tolerance and dedication to the course of Allah. His wise counsel and significance in the Adabiyah Islamic movement would surely be missed”, the Emir added and prayed Allah to forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds and admit his soul into Al-janatul firdaos.
In his reaction, former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki who is the Baba Adini of Ansarul Islam Society Worldwide in a statement he personally signed said: “I am deeply saddened by the passing away of the Khaleefatul Adaabiyyah. May Allah forgive him and admit him into Aljannatul Firdaus. I pray that Allah strengthens the Kamaldeen Al Adabiy family and the Muslim Ummah at this difficult time.”
Similarly, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in his condolence message said “This death again depletes the ranks of religious scholarship and evangelism in our community and it therefore calls for sober reflection from all,” according to a statement by his spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye.
“The Governor commiserates with the family of the eminent scholar, the entire Muslim community, and the Adabiyyah family worldwide on this unfortunate development. We pray Allah, the oft-forgiving and merciful, to forgive the Sheikh, grant him al-jannah Firdaus, and keep the great households of Sheikh Kamaldeen and our other departed leaders forever on the right path of faith, goodness, and piety”, it added.
Former governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in a statement by his media adviser, Dr Muhideen Akorede offered his “deepest sympathies to the Kamaldeen family, and the Adabiyya movement over the incidence. He described him as a great man. “I share your pain and ask Allah to comfort you in the difficult days ahead”, he noted.
National President of IEDPI, Alhaji Aliyu Uthman, in a statement by the union’s Spokesman, Abubakar Imam described the death of Al- Adabbiy as a rude shock and a death too many.
It described the deceased as a seasoned educationist, distinguished technocrat and impactful community leader whose passage would be sorely missed by all.
Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi also expresses sadness over the demise Kamaldeen adding that the former commissioner was a pathfinder who inspired the stride he recorded while holding sway as the education commissioner in the state. He condoled with the family and prayed Allah to forgive and admit him into Aljannatul Firdaus.