Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), United States Branch has eulogized the late Chief Imam of Ilorin Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solihu, describing his passing as a monumental loss.
The sociocultural organization made this known during a virtual special prayer session organized to honour the memory of the late Muslim leader.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the IEDPU USA Branch, Alhaji Lanre Abaya, admonished Muslims, particularly the youth, to draw inspiration from the late Chief Imam’s exemplary lifestyle.
He encouraged the youth to embrace and uphold Islamic values, advocate peaceful coexistence among all faiths, and dedicate their efforts to serving humanity with sincerity and integrity.
Abaya expressed the association’s sympathy to the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari; the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; the Ilorin Emirate Council, and the family of the late Chief Imam, urging them to find comfort in the remarkable life of the late spiritual leader, who lived a life devoted to Allah and impactful in serving mankind.
The Vice Chairperson of the IEDPU USA,
Alhaja Ramat Mohammed, who also delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late Chief Imam, offered prayers for his forgiveness.
She recalled his contributions to the community with emphasis on importance of his teachings.
The Vice Chairperson urged everyone to work together for continued unity within the emirate, reinforcing the need for collaborative efforts in community development initiatives, and thanked everyone for their participation.
She was of the hope for continued unity in the emirate for community development.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the IEDPU USA Branch, Alhaji Abubakar Oladimeji Mohammed, expressed profound gratitude to all members who participated.
He appreciated their solidarity, continued presence, and the special prayers offered for the repose of Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Solihu’s soul.
Alhaji AbdulFatai Na-Allah, a member of the IEDPU USA Advisory Council and former chairman, took a moment to deliver poignant prayers, imploring mercy, salvation, and a peaceful afterlife for the late chief imam.
He articulated the profound impact that Sheikh Solihu had on the community, highlighting his contributions to spiritual guidance and community cohesion.
Na-Allah emphasized the vital role of community support in honouring the Imam’s legacy, saying that it is through such solidarity and shared memories that the community finds strength in their collective mourning and continues to uphold the values, which the late chief imam instilled.
This medium reports that Iman Alhaji AbdulAzeez Ajao and Ustaz Lukman Ajao led the virtual prayer session, which attracted participants from various locations.
Notable spiritual leaders in attendance included Shaykh Thaoban Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory and Imam Yahaya Nofihu from the National Council of Nigerian Muslim Organizations (NCNMO), USA.
The Islamic scholars, throughout the session, reminded attendees about the inevitable nature of death while emphasizing the significance of possessing exemplary characteristics in life.
They portrayed the late Chief Imam as a profoundly pious individual, a compassionate humanitarian, and a devoted servant of Allah whose life was marked by selflessness, advocacy for community unity, respect for diversity, and a relentless pursuit of progress and development.
Shaykh Thaoban Al-Ilory, who paid tribute to the late Chief Imam for the numerous sterling virtues that characterized him, noted that Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Solihu was widely revered not only for his exceptional knowledge of Islam but also for his humility, moral uprightness and as well as his unwavering commitment to fostering peace and unity within the Ilorin Emirate and beyond that set a benchmark for others.
He described the late Chief Imam as a model of integrity, whose life was filled with acts of devotion and charity, leaving behind a rich legacy of faith, discipline, and compassionate service.
Heartfelt condolences were shared with his immediate family, as well as prominent figures, including His Royal Highness, Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, the Emir of Ilorin; Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; members of the Kwara State Council of Ulama, and all indigenes of Ilorin, both in Nigeria and the diaspora.
