Imam Sacked For Cancelling Congregational Prayer In Zaria

An Imam, Malam Abubakar Sarki-Aminu has been sacked by the Chairman of a Muslim sect, Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) in Zaria, Kaduna state, Sheikh Sani Yakubu, for complying with the state government’s directive on congregational prayer.

The sacked Imam was the recognized Imam who conducted five daily prayers at Sheik Abubakar Mahmood Gumi Juma’at Mosque, Kofar Gayan Low-cost, Zaria for almost 40 years.

The Chairman confirmed the Imam’s sack on Friday and directed that the Committee Chairman for 5 daily prayers of the Mosque, Alhaji Shehu Dan-Maikuli to speak.

According to Dan-Maikuli, there were disagreements between the duo even before the sack order.

Sarki-Aminu said:

“My deputy Imam called me on phone that Sheik Sani Yakuba ordered that we should continue with the congregational prayers, that I should come out for Subhi (dawn) prayer.

“I replied him that, if the chairman wants me to continue with the congregational prayers, let him formally write to me so that I will be convinced that his order supersede that of government.

“I waited without anything to that effect, later I leant that the chairman came and lead a congregational Isha’i prayer and announce my removal and replaced me with Malam Ahmad Tijjani with two deputies who already are my deputies.”

On allegation that he did not consult the Mosque committee before the closure, Sarki-Aminu observed that whenever government gives directives “then who else will give a counter-directive?

“In an ideal situation, Imam is the leader of the Mosque, the committee did not enquire from me but they decided to go straight to Sheik Sani Yakubu and he used his power and reopened the Mosque and subsequently announced my removal.”