By Martin Paul
Abuja
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has abolished the position of Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque and appointed Prof Shehu Ahmad Said Galadanci as the Murshid.
Secretary-General of the Council, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, told newsmen at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, that the change became necessary in view of adjustments currently going on in the National Mosque.
He said there had been criticisms in the hierarchy and management style of the mosque in recent time after the death of the former Imam, Sheikh Musa Muhamad on May 2015.
Oloyede said, in line with best practices in national mosques all over the world, the Abuja National Mosque would now have a Murshid in place of a Chief Imam.
He said, after due consideration and adjustments, the general purpose committee of the mosque deemed it fit to enlighten the public of the changes.
“The NSCIA, the apex body superintending over the affairs of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria, under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, wishes to announce some adjustments it has undertaken in the Abuja National Mosque.
“Since the demise of the late Chief Imam, Sheikh Musa Mohammad on the 2nd of May, 2015, (may Allah grant him Aljanatul Firdaus), the Council undertook a number of restructuring,” he added.
Similarly, the three deputy Imams of the mosque have been elevated to the positions of Imams, while it is expected that the fourth Imam from either the South-South or South-East, would soon be appointed, but based on qualification, to bring the number to four Imams.
The Murshid, according to the Council, would be the general administrator of the mosque, who would be reporting to the chairman of NSCIA board, would be in the saddle for five years and he, in turn, would be assisted by the four Imams, who would have no seniority over each other.
