TheNewsGuru

Tag: Mosque

  • We didn’t authorize erection of mosque beside church – KPPA

    We didn’t authorize erection of mosque beside church – KPPA

    The Kwara State Physical Planning Authority (KPPA) has dissociated itself from granting approval for the construction of a Central Mosque beside the Catholic Diocese around the Tanke Junction in Ilorin.

    KPPA General Manager, Mr Sikiru Oyinloye, who disclosed this on Saturday at a news conference in Ilorin, denied the involvement of the agency in the construction of the Ummul Khairah Memorial Central Mosque in the area.

    He said that the owners of the mosque and church had a mutual agreement that both worship centres should operate side-by-side.

    The general manager explained that the initial approval that was granted to the owner of the mosque was for a business mall before it was converted to a mosque.

    According to him, there are guidelines that are followed before an approval can be granted for the construction of a worship centre.

    He stated that both parties later came to KPPA office “to inform us that a Memorandom of Understanding has been reached that the two worship centres should be allowed to coexist side-by-side without hindrance from either side.

    Meanwhile, the General Manager has announced that KPPA has commenced the massive demolition of illegal structures in the state.

    He said that shops in two different locations on Fate Road and Lower Sabo Line, both in the Ilorin metropolis, have been demolished because they were awarded Certificate of Temporary Occupancy (CTO).

    According to Oyinloye, the CTO “implies that such buildings or shops can be demolished anytime by the authority after serving the occupier a seven-day notice to vacate.

    “As at the time they were presented with the CTO document by the Kwara State Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, they were also given prototype of what to construct.

    “It is mandatory for all land owners to approach the KPPA for advice before erecting any structure on their land.

    He said the affected shops have earlier been marked for demolition, saying that they were built on places which government reserved for electricity poles, road setbacks, walkways and other public uses.

    Oyinloye, who also solicited support from the media towards educating the people on the dangers associated with illegal structures, warned that demolition of illegal structures was a continuous exercise. (

  • Sad! Kwara worshipper murdered over Christmas banger on mosque premises

    Sad! Kwara worshipper murdered over Christmas banger on mosque premises

    Abdulkadir Segi, a 30-year-old man has allegedly been stabbed to death during an argument over the detonation of a banger around a mosque in Ilorin, Kwara State, while the Muslim congregational prayer was being observed on Christmas Eve.

    Abdulkadir was said to have been stabbed in the chest in the Ita-Nmo area of Ilorin by one Kehinde Oloka of Oke-Agodi area of the town.

    It was gathered that the suspect, who is presently at large, was recurrently detonating bangers in front of the mosque to disturb Muslims worshipers, who were observing their Ishai evening prayer.

    Abdulkadir, who was one of the congregants in the mosque, was said to have come out to ask Oloka to move away from the place of worship.

    It was alleged that the suspect ran home, came back and attacked Abdulkadir with a long sharp knife, with which he stabbed him and the victim reportedly bled to death.

    He was said to have been rushed to a private hospital, where he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

    A family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the suspect stabbed the victim during a disagreement over banger around the mosque while the evening prayer was going on, stating that Oloka ran away after committing the heinous crime.

    Ajayi Okasanmi, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect was on the run and had deserted his family house in Ogidi.

     

  • Gunmen kidnap first class monarch while stepping into mosque

    Gunmen kidnap first class monarch while stepping into mosque

    The Acting Eje of Ankpa, Ankpa Local Government Area, Kogi State, Alhaji Shaibu Usman, was on Friday kidnapped by gunmen.

    Alhaji Usman was abducted while entering the mosque around 5.30 am.

    In its reaction on Friday, the Kogi State Police Command said it would not rest until the monarch’s release was secured.

    The police said his abductors were yet to contact his family.

    The Commissioner of Police (CP), Ayuba Ede, said the police had cordoned off all entry and exit points into the state with a view to rescuing the traditional ruler.

    According to him, the kidnappers laid an ambush at the mosque and zoomed off immediately with the traditional ruler to a destination yet to be ascertained.

    The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, said efforts were on to secure the release of the traditional ruler.

    “The state government is working with security agencies to ensure his release. The Kogi State Government has also set machinery in motion to ensure even more stringent security network during this yuletide.

    “The people of Ankpa should remain calm as government is on top of the situation. We remain committed to security of lives and property,” he stated.

  • BREAKING: Chief Imam of Abuja popular mosque is dead

    BREAKING: Chief Imam of Abuja popular mosque is dead

    Imam Abduljaleel Dabo, the Chief Imam of Uthman bin Affan Mosque in Wuse II, Abuja, popularly known as Banex mosque is dead.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Alli Pantami made this known on Monday.

    “May the Almighty Allah forgive and be Merciful to Imam AbdulJaleel Dabo, Imam of Banex Jumu’ah Masjeed, Wuse 2, Abuja,” Pantami posted via his official Facebook page.

    TNG gathers that Imam AbdulJaleel died after a protracted illness on Sunday around 4 pm.

    “His janaza will take place today by 1:30 pm at Banex mosque, Wuse II, while his remains will be buried at Gudu cemetery in Abuja,” Huseyn Zakaria, who conducts the annual tafsir at the mosque said.

    Late Imam AbdulJaleel is survived by three wives, many children and grandchildren.

  • Mosques set ablaze as siblings stab Enugu tricycle rider

    Mosques set ablaze as siblings stab Enugu tricycle rider

    There was palpable calm on Sunday at the university town of Nsukka in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State following the burning of two mosques and belongings owned by the Hausa community.Irate youths perpetrated the act.

    Chaos started on Saturday when some Hausa people stormed and stabbed a tricycle operator, who conveyed a Hausa woman, identified as Aisha, with her goods to the Army barracks.

    It was gathered that the woman refused to pay the rider the agreed transport fare of N750.

    Aisha, who sells fresh tomatoes and other perishable goods, instead of paying the tricycle rider N750, said the charge was much and offered to pay N500, a development that sparked exchange of words and subsequently attracted a crowd.

    TheNewsGuru learnt that while people were trying to find a common ground, Aisha placed a call to her brothers, who in turn came in their numbers.

    It was gathered that after giving the driver a beating of his life, one of them stabbed him on the chest.

    Ruffled by the attack on the tricycle driver, youths of the area mobilized and launched what seemed like a reprisal and allegedly destroyed two mosques and other valuables belonging to the Hausa community in the area.

    Two of the Hausa attackers, Hassan Yakubu and Nurudeen Mohammed, were reported to have been picked up by irate youths, who descended on them to settle the scores.

    Hassan, who spoke with newsmen, revealed that his sister Aisha contacted him on the phone, but before he arrived at the scene, one of his brothers, Nurudeen, had stabbed the tricycle operator.

    He said, “My sister Aisha contacted me on the phone that she had a problem with a tricycle rider and that I should come. However, before I arrived there, my brother, Nurudeen was already there.

    “In short, he and my other brothers had fought with the rider. Unfortunately, he (Nurudeen) stabbed him. So, when he fled, the youths picked on me.”

    An observer said that the mob blocked the entrance and exit points to the popular army barracks junction in Nsukka, burning tyres and destroying items belonging to Hausa people immediately it was alleged that the tricycle rider had died.

    It was gathered that the military from the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, later arrived at the scene with over three Hilux vans and Armoured Personnel Carrier and calmed the situation.

    In a new development, the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka has appealed for calm, saying that the stabbed keke operator, who was rumoured to have died, was still alive and responding to medical treatment at its hospital.

    The church, in a statement titled, ‘Nsukka is peaceful, don’t be incited to violence’, was signed by Diocesan Secretary/Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Cajetan Iyidobi. Fr. Iyidobi said that the Bishop, Most Rev, Godfrey Onah, had appealed to all sides involved in the chaos to remain calm but vigilant.

     

  • Mosque shooter bags 21 years jail sentence

    Mosque shooter bags 21 years jail sentence

    A far-right Norwegian man was on Thursday jailed for 21 years for the racially motivated murder of his Chinese-born stepsister and attempting to kill worshippers in a mosque shooting spree.

    Philip Manshaus expressed strong anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim views before 2019 attack and was unrepentant at trial.

    Manshaus, now 22 years old, shot and killed Johanne Zhangjia Ihle-Hansen in their family home, later explaining he believed the adopted daughter of his father’s spouse posed a risk to the family because of her Asian origin.

    He then drove to the nearby al-Noor Islamic Centre and entered the building, firing several shots but hitting no one before being overpowered by a 65-year-old member of the congregation who wrestled away his guns.

    “He went in with the purpose of killing as many Muslims as possible,” judge Annika Lindstroem said.

    Manshaus expressed admiration for the massacre of over 50 people at two New Zealand mosques in 2019 by a white supremacist who filmed and broadcast the killings live.

    The attack also drew comparisons with the massacre of 77 people by far-right mass killer Anders Behring Breivik in 2011 in Norway’s worst peacetime atrocity.

    Manshaus wore a helmet camera, filming the mosque shooting, however failed in his attempt to broadcast the attack online.

  • Unbelievable, Borno despite high COVID-19 numbers suspends lockdown, tells mosques, churches to reopen

    Unbelievable, Borno despite high COVID-19 numbers suspends lockdown, tells mosques, churches to reopen

    The lockdown declared in Borno state has been suspended indefinitely.

    The state government has also relaxed the ban on religious gatherings, but called for strict guidelines on maintaining physical distancing in mosques and churches.

    Meanwhile, the ban on Eid prayers are still in force.

    Umar Kadafur, deputy governor and chairman of the state COVID-19 response committee, made this known in a statement.

    According to him, the “stringent measures” taken to limit the spread of the coronavirus “yielded the desired results”, as the state had recorded “significant progress” in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

    He, however, noted that if the COVID-19 situation escalates, the government would revert to “status quo”.

    “Henceforth, Jumma’at prayers and five daily prayers shall be observed in all mosques as recommended by the Borno State Council of Ulamas in strict adherence with social distancing and the use of face masks,” the statement read.

    “All churches shall conduct church services as recommended by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Borno Chapter in strict adherence with social distancing and use of face masks.

    “Government has considered the recommendation of the Borno State Council of Ulamas which clearly states that Eid prayers is Sunnah (non obligatory), hence there should be no Eid prayers. Faithfuls should remain at home during the period.”

    The government also placed restrictions on public gatherings, especially funeral processions, weddings, naming ceremonies, among others, which it limited to not more than 20 people.

  • Coronavirus: Sultan orders closure of all mosques in Abuja

    The President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who is also the Sultan of Sokoto, on Monday ordered the immediate shutdown of all mosques in the Federal Capital territory (FCT).

    The development is in line with the efforts of the Federal Government to stem the steady spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    A statement in Abuja and made available to The Nation, by the NSCIA, Director of Administration, Alh. Yusuf Nwoha said: “the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of its President General, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and Sultan of Sokoto, after consultations with Muslim Scholars and other relevant stakeholders, has today the 23rd March, 2020 ordered the immediate shutdown of all mosques in the Federal Capital territory.

    “As hard as this decision is, it became necessary that Muslims should join hands with federal Government and its Agencies in the sustained fight against the spread of the virulent COVID 19 which the World Health Organization (WHO) has since declared a pandemic.

    “The decision to close-down mosques is not alien to Islamic tradition and culture as it could be traced to the time of our noble Prophet (S.A.W). In such situation, the (Mu’adhdhin) is asked to inform the believers to pray in their dwellings.

    “The NSCIA, therefore, solicits the cooperation of the Imams and all Muslims in the FCT to ensure compliance to this directive as it is in the interest of all and sundry. May Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala assist humanity to stop the spread of this deadly disease across all the protect us all, ameen”.

  • Photo: Fayemi visits Rivers, says no evidence Wike demolished mosque

    Photo: Fayemi visits Rivers, says no evidence Wike demolished mosque

    Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi on Sunday said he could not see any evidence that a building existed on the disputed land in Rainbow Town, Port Harcourt where some persons alleged that the Rivers State Government demolished a mosque.

    Speaking with journalists after a joint assessment of the disputed land with Governor Nyesom Wike at Rainbow Town on Sunday evening, Fayemi described the entire controversy as a storm in a tea cup.

    He said: “With what I have seen, I cannot see any evidence of any building that has been demolished here.
    “If you are somebody who wants a place of worship, you should find a way to oblige them. I know within your capacity, it will be possible to find a place for them.

    “From what I have seen here, I think it is a storm in a tea cup. There is nothing to warrant this kind of media hype that has been given to it.”

    The NGF Chairman said that his assessment visit was necessitated by a call to Governor Wike after the controversy on the disputed land broke out.

    The Ekiti State Governor said that when the controversy started, he placed a call to Wike who pointedly emphasized that no mosque was demolished.

    He noted that Wike explained the history of the disputed land, informing that it started during the Amaechi Administration and that the matter was already in court.

    “If they cannot have this place that is in contention and they have gone to court and you have respected their right to go to court, if they want to come back and seek a request to have another place, I plead that His Excellency should oblige them.

    “You cannot allow people to build on a sewer. Even in my state I will not allow people to build on a sewer . There is no governor that I know that will allow that to happen.

    “If they are willing and prepared to have their place of worship elsewhere, that shouldn’t be too much of a request. It is important for us to promote harmony, rather than discord,” Fayemi said.

    He said that State Governors must continue to interact on sensitive matters before taking a position.

    He said: “All of us should try as much as possible to speak to one another when things like these happens, rather than jump to any conclusion. That’s what brought me hear, so that I can see for myself precisely what has transpired and I want to thank you for granting me the opportunity to visit when I insisted that I want to see the place in contention.”

    Responding, Wike thanked Fayemi for exhibiting leadership by visiting the state to see things for himself.

    Wike, who noted that the Ekiti State Governor has confirmed that there was no mosque as was wrongly reported, wondered why people politicise everything.

    “I want to thank the Chairman of my forum for at least coming to see things for himself. He called me while he was away and I told him, you know that I can’t do something like that and he said okay, when he comes back, he was coming to see me and he has fulfilled that promise. That shows leadership and from what he has seen, there was no Mosque.

    “There is no way I will see a mosque and order the Ministry of Urban Development to go and demolish a mosque. Assuming that there is even a mosque and that government doesn’t want it at that location, we will invite them and say look, we don’t want a mosque there, can we find you an alternative place, but there was no mosque. I don’t know why people should make politics out of the issue. It’s not important.”

     

  • New Zealand begins funerals for mosque shooting victims

    New Zealand begins funerals for mosque shooting victims

    The bodies of victims from New Zealand’s mosques mass shooting were carried in open caskets on the shoulders of mourners into a large tent at Christchurch’s Memorial Park Cemetery on Wednesday.

    The bodies, wrapped in white cloth, were laid to face Mecca, and, after jenazah (funeral) prayers, were carried towards their freshly dug graves.

    “Seeing the body lowered down, it was a very emotional time for me,” Gulshad Ali, who had traveled from Auckland to attend the first funeral, said.

    Several mounds of dirt piled high marked the site of multiple graves which will be used for New Zealand’s worst mass shooting.

    Hundreds gathered to mourn, some men wearing a taqiyah (skullcap), others shalwar kameez (long tunic and trousers), while women wore hijabs and scarfs.

    The majority of victims were migrants or refugees from countries such as Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Somalia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

    The youngest was a boy of three, born in New Zealand to Somali refugee parents.

    The first two victims buried, father and son Khaled and Hamza Mustafa, came from war-torn Syria.

    “I cannot tell you how gutting it is, a family came here for safety and they should have been safe here,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, visiting the city for the second time since the massacre.

    Heavily armed police stood watch with flowers tucked in their revolver holsters and attached to their high powered rifles.

    Ardern said next Friday’s call to prayers for Muslims in New Zealand will be broadcast nationally and there will be a two minute silence on Friday.

    “There is a desire to show support for the Muslim community as they return to mosques on Friday,” she said.

    The bullet-ridden Al Noor mosque, where over 40 people died, is being repaired for Friday prayers.

    Near the mosque, members of rival gangs did a Maori haka, a powerful indigenous ceremonial performance, and a crowd of people sung New Zealand’s national anthem as the sun set.

    The Australian National Imams Council has called on Imams to dedicate this Friday’s Khutbah (sermon) to the Christchurch mosque mass shooting.

    “The attack on any Muslim or any innocent person anywhere around the world is an attack on all Muslims and all people.

    “This is a human and an international tragedy, not only a Muslim and NZ tragedy.

    These acts of terror are there to divide us and we reject this in all its forms and ways, but rather we will stay united and strong,” the council said in a statement.