The Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN, has condemned the leadership of Afenifere over the comparison of Sunday Igboho to Prophet Muhammad.
The association said it was wrong for the Yoruba group to liken the travails of Igboho to that of any of the prophets of God.
DAILY POST recalls that Afenifere had yesterday likened the travails of Igboho who is currently on detention in Benin Republic to the persecution and subsequent migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina.
But, Oyo State Amirah of FOMWAN, Dr. Bushra Oloso, while speaking warned individuals and associations to desist from likening the botched plan by Igboho to escape to Germany through Cotonou, Benin Republic to the travails suffered by some Prophets of God in the hands of oppressors.
Oloso insisted that it was wrong for anyone to compare Igboho’s travails to God’s ordained migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina.
Oloso in a statement made available to DAILY POST in Ibadan, on Tuesday, insisted that her statement became necessary following the stories credited to the Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr Jare Ajayi on Monday.
She said, “Most of Allah’s Messengers if not all emigrated at one time or the other.
“However, the migration of Prophet Muhammad differed from other Prophets because it was the beginning of the establishment of full Islamic practice by the early Muslims.
“At Medina, Prophet Muhammad established the best nation ever raised and from there Islam was embraced by many nations and tribes.”
Oloso admonished Afenifere not to over glorify Sunday Igboho to the extent of conferring the status of the saviour of the Yoruba people on him just as Allah appointed His Prophets to liberate their people from the shackles of one oppression or the other.
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While stressing that Islam promotes the oneness of Allah as well as love amongst people of different creeds and tribes across the globe, Oloso appealed to Nigerians to avoid fanning the embers of ethnic, tribal and religious crises which could further aggravate the present delicate situation in Nigeria.
She called on the federal government to bring all ethnic, religious and tribal groups and agitators across the country together for a national discourse where an array of social problems militating against the existence of the country would be discussed, addressed and resolved.
It is also reported that, Islamic faithful on social media have condemned a statement by Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, comparing the travails of Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho) to Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W).
In a statement issued on Monday by the National Publicity Secretary of the Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, Afenifere had noted that there was nothing wrong with Igboho seeking asylum out of the country where his safety could be guaranteed.
Afenifere had said there was nothing wrong with this intention, saying, “We recall that Moses had to be taken away from the prying eyes of Pharaoh and his agents in Egypt. Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W) too had to leave his hometown, Mecca for Medina in order to escape persecution.
“Thus, there is nothing wrong in Igboho seeking a respite first to preserve his life and perhaps to re-strategise.”
The Afenifere’s statement has attracted a lot of backlash from Muslim faithfuls on social media who said the Prophet’s movement was given a wrong interpretation by the Yoruba group.
On Twitter, Alabi Erundupe @AlFinladly wrote, “It is Islamically wrong to make the comparison. At least, Igboho should be compared to Ogun, Sango, Obatala et al since he has openly declared his allegiance to them.”
A Facebook user, Hamid Ullah Jan explained, “Prophet Mohammed never fled. He left Makkah because it was ordained to Him by Almighty Allah. Qur’an witnesses that Prophet Mohammed never did anything from His own. He did what is ordained to Him.
“We understand your pain. This pain is felt by your forefathers the day Prophet Mohammed conquered Makkah and crushed down your forefathers made worshipping idols. May peace mercy and blessings of Almighty be upon Him.”
Owolabi Ghafar noted, “The punishment of our creator is more severe than your so-called government. Never compare anybody with the Prophet S.A.W – even any of the prophets. I seek for forgiveness from Allah.”
Jamilu Iyatawa said, “This comparison is baseless! Prophet Muhammad never left Mecca to Medina just in fear of persecution, he rather left it so that he will worship his God, as people of Mecca by that time worships idols.
“But, to that of Igboho, he runs to Benin in fear of persecution because he knows what he has done is treason.
“When Igboho migrated to Benin trying to smuggle himself to Germany, he was arrested, tortured, molested, handcuffed and sent to police cell. But to that of Prophet Muhammad, he was kind-hearted, welcomed, and well-received by all peoples of Medina.”
