By Mumini Abdulkareem
The Chief Imam of Agaka Central Mosque, Asa Dam, Ilorin, Imam Yusuf Muritala Pakata (Olopoewa) on Saturday in Ilorin became a proud father as his son, AbdulAzeez got married to his heartthrob, Saidat.
The Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Mohammed Bashir Solih led other religious leaders and scholars to the event which was held at Darul Uloom wa Dawah Islamic Academy, Oke-Foma, Ilorin with emphasis on use of face masks and hand sanitizers in compliance with the Covid-19 protocols of the state government.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion were the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulhamid, three former Grand Kadis of Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Abdulmutalib Ambali, Idris Haroon and Soliu Olohutoyin Mohammed, all retired, former IEDPU president, Alhaji Abdulhamid Hadi, Dan Madami of Ilorin, Alhaji Sheu Gafar, MD/Editor-in-Chief, National Pilot newspapers, Alhaji Billy Adedamola and Seriki n Salama, Alhaji Ayuba Gambari among other representatives of religious and traditional institutions within and outside the state.
Speaking to National Pilot in their separate interviews, Imam Pakata who is also a member of the Kwara State Council for Muslims Organisations (CMO) and Council of Ulammah and his son, thank Almighty Allah and the dignitaries that honoured the invitation for making the event a reality.
“I say Alhamdulillahi to Almighty Allah for His grace and favour today for seeing to the fulfillment of our intentions to have this Nikkah from both families. I immensely appreciate and thank all those who came to honour us with their presence that are too numerous to mention. May Allah reward all of them in manifolds.
“My advice for the couple is that this is another stage in their life and they should live it with the fear of Almighty God. They must not abandon Allah, their relatives and parents because of their union and should be steadfast in the worship of Allah more than ever before to have success in life and the hereafter no matter the challenges”, the top cleric submitted.
On his part, AbdulAzeez said “I can only give thanks to Almighty Allah for making today a reality and appreciate my parents, my teacher and all those who God used for the fulfillment of what we are seeing today. My fervent prayer is to God to appreciate all of them for us because we can’t thank them enough”, he noted.
In his sermon, Utaz Shaafi Shuaib Alaye advised the couple to hold on to the teachings and dictates of the Glorious Qur’an adding that it is more important now for them to be conscious of violating injunctions of Allah.
The event also featured recitation from the Qur’an and prayers for the couple for Almighty Allah to bless the union and make it a source of joy and happiness that will elevate their status in the presence of Almighty Allah.
