Why I resigned as ATBU Chief Imam – Prof Isa Yelwa

A renowned Islamic scholar, Professor Mansur Isa Yelwa, who recently resigned as the Chief Imam of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has explained that his decision was prompted by the university management’s approval for the Tijjaniyyah Muslim Students’ Association of Nigeria (TIMSAN) to build a mosque on the campus. Professor Yelwa announced his decision […]

A renowned Islamic scholar, Professor Mansur Isa Yelwa, who recently resigned as the Chief Imam of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has explained that his decision was prompted by the university management’s approval for the Tijjaniyyah Muslim Students’ Association of Nigeria (TIMSAN) to build a mosque on the campus.

Professor Yelwa announced his decision at the end of his Juma’at sermon last Friday, Daily Trust gathered.

In a video clip that went viral on social media, the former chief imam told the congregation that the management’s approval for the Tijjaniyyah sect to construct a mosque within the university premises could cause division among the Muslim students.

“I do not know of any mosque in the entire university that was given such approval. Why would the Tijjaniyyah sect be given this approval? Of course, they have the right because they are Nigerians. However, the Qadiriyyah sect should also be given one.

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“With this development, the Izala group will approach the university with the same request. Thereafter, the Salafiyyah, who claim they belong to no sect, will demand land to build their own mosque. Later, the Shi’a followers will forward the same request to the management.

“For God’s sake, if we open this door, can ATBU live in peace? Can we continue with the routine Islamic preaching the way it is being done now? I thank the Almighty Allah that since I assumed duty as chief imam of the ATBU mosque, I have not had any problem with anyone, whether at the individual level, with the university management, the unions, students or staff.”

He, however, lamented that last week, he saw on social media that the university management had approved land for Tijjaniyyah adherents to construct a mosque.

“I do not have any problem with Tijjaniyyah or its followers, but I have a problem with the move aimed at destroying the unity I have built among followers of different sects within the university community. All students are equal before me when it comes to worshiping the Almighty Allah.

“And as the chief imam of the university, I am entrusted with the responsibility of managing all mosques; be it Juma’at or daily five daily prayers within the university. I am sure the Almighty Allah will ask me how I handled this task because I accepted to do the job for His sake.

“However, with this development, I felt that the good work I had done over the past 17 years has now been undone in just seven day. I see no reason why, in my capacity as chief imam and leader of Islamic preaching in the university, an approval would be given to a particular sect to build its mosque without even consulting me or seeking my advice on how to handle the situation. Such things happen in other universities, but each institution handles the situation in its own way.

“The Tijjaniyyah sect existed even before ATBU was established, and when a mosque was constructed and a chief imam was appointed at ATBU, the Tijjaniyyah sect was already there. But we never had any problem with Tijjaniyyah followers.

“Why then did the management decide to grant such approval at this time? So, I want to categorically announce that effective today, Friday, 11th Muharram AH, I have relinquished my position as chief imam of the ATBU Juma’at Mosque and leader of Islamic preaching activities in the university.

“I will not return to my position until this approval is reversed. Nobody should call my phone to plead with me, and I will not attend any meeting on this issue. My only condition is for the university management to withdraw the approval,” he concluded.

 

Management defends land approval

The ATBU Director of Information and Public Relations, Zailani Bappa, has defended the university’s decision, insisting that the approval granted to TIMSAN followed due process and did not violate any law.

Speaking in an interview with Albarka Radio Bauchi, Bappa said the university could not prohibit any lawful religious activity that did not threaten peace or public order.

“What the Constitution does not prohibit, and which does not constitute a security threat, the university cannot stop,” he said.

He explained that the university accommodates different Muslim groups with separate places of worship.

“JIBWIS (Jos Izala), for instance, have their own mosque where they observe the five daily prayers.

“That is not division. People practise their faith in different ways. Our understanding of unity in Islam is peaceful coexistence, even though there may be differences in how individuals observe certain religious practices,” he said.

Bappa said ATBU, with its two campuses and diverse population of students from across Nigeria and beyond, remains committed to peaceful coexistence among all religious groups.

He explained that Islamic affairs on campus are managed by the Muslim Ummah through the SHURA Council, which is responsible for coordinating religious activities and appointing or removing imams.

According to him, TIMSAN initially sought SHURA’s approval to conduct Wazifa at the Gubi Campus mosque, but the request was declined.

“The association subsequently wrote to the university management, which convened a meeting with SHURA, TIMSAN and other key stakeholders.

“SHURA maintained that Wazifa should not be held at the Gubi Campus Juma’at Mosque, after which TIMSAN requested a separate piece of land to conduct its activities, but not establishing another Juma’at mosque.

“That was what the university approved. The only Juma’at mosque on the Gubi Campus remains the existing one,” he said.

Bappa said that the university management was surprised by the resignation of the chief imam and the criticism that followed, insisting that SHURA was fully involved in the consultations.

“The university does not directly handle religious affairs. We work through the recognised religious leadership. SHURA was aware of the process and consented to the decision,” he added.