The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari has laid the foundation stone of multi-million naira Gambari Mosque, with a call on residents of the state to maintain harmonious relationship among themselves.
The official foundation laying was performed at a colourful event attended by eminent personalities including Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of the Kwara State; Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Soliu; Imam Imole, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhameed and Imam Gamabri, Alhaji Suleiman Abdulazeez.
Others were Balogun Gambari, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammed; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Isiaka Amosa Al-Amin; Ambassador Yahaya Seriki; Daudus, Alanguas, Magajis, market men, women, Muslim faithful and friends of Gambari community across the state and beyond.
Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony, the Chairman Mosque Reconstruction Committee, Justice Idris Haroon said that the mosque has historical attribute of being an early Islamic worship arena within the Emirate since early 17th century under the Imamship of As-Sheik AbdulMumeen Dogo.
He added that Imam Gambari Mosque equally serves as citadel of learning both in the area of Arabic and Islamic knowledge being the mosque which earlier served as the first Eid praying ground for the people of Ilorin Emirate where Sheik Alimi prayed, and continues to serve as praying ground for dwellers of the Ilorin Emirate.
He explained that the mosque became cut up with modernity when the 11th Emir of Ilorin and the Chairman, Traditional Council, Kwara State, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, CFR, inaugurated a 49 man Committee charged to ensure the construction of a modern edifice that will stand the test of time.
Justice Haroon noted that despite the tight schedule, the emir created time to vet the designs and facilities provided in the building document until it becomes satisfied as second grade to the Ilorin Central Mosque in accordance with the wishes of the emir.
He said that since the inauguration of the committee on the 9th of June, 2018 (25th Ramadan 1439), many activities including designing, drawing, sourcing for funding (also on-going) and other relevant activities to ensure a technically satisfied edifice had been attained.
According to him “the history is therefore made today with foundation laying of the historical pride of the people of Emirate with the commencement of the construction of the Mosque. This remodelling is the third of its kind, since the proclamation of the centre by the earliest settlers and traders as a mosque and place for propagation of Islamic knowledge.
“As we gathered to witness this historic manifestation, it is my wish sooner than expected, Allah will make our collective dream a reality, when in no distant time, we shall all gathered to commission the mosque edifice, In sha Allah.
“I have to reiterate that the committee is soliciting for an improved financial donation towards the construction of the mosque. I wish to call on the collective magnanimity of both the wealthy ones and the humble dwellers of Ilorin to wilfully donate towards the realisation of this dream”.
The Chairman of Mosque Designing Committee and Deputy Chairman of Reconstruction Committee, Prof Yusuf Lanre Badmus, called on public spirited individuals to contribute heavily for the realization of the project.
He said that contributing to the construction of the mosque was a very rewarding venture before God.
The Imam Gambari Mosque, Alhaji Suleiman Abdulazeez also called on Muslims across the world to donate generously to the reconstruction of the mosque as Almighty Allah will reward them abundantly.
The Grand Khadi of Kwara State, Justice Ola Abdulkadir led other Khadis of Shariah Court of Appeal to grace the foundation laying ceremony.
