By Callistus Agwaza in Jalingo
The Kutep Muslim Development Association (KMDA) has declared that the proposed demolition of Takum Central Mosque in Taraba state by the state government is an affront on Muslims’ right to worship and a deliberate attempt to erase the history of Kuteb Muslims.
In a statement on Sunday in Jalingo, chairman of KMDA, Alhaji Bako Mairiga, called on Muslims to stop the Taraba State Government from demolishing the mosque.
The Taraba state government had earlier in a statement, dismissed allegations of the planned demolition of the Mosque.
The government, in the statement by the Commissioner for Information, Zainab Usman Jalingo, maintained that there was no such plan to demolish the mosque.
The commissioner said, speculations about the demolition of the Mosque was “fabricated with malicious intent, aimed at creating fear and tension within the community. ”
Mairiga said the mosque was constructed in 1912 when Ukwe Ahmadu Gankwe, was appointed and installed as the Paramount Ruler of Takum in 1914.
He said, “Being a Muslim, the Kuteb people saw the need to build the Takum Central Mosque next to the Palace of Ukwe Takum to enable him and other Muslims in Takum worship therein.
“As a devoted Muslim, his Kuteb brothers all over the 12 surrounding Clans who were already participating in the construction of the Palace fence, assisted in building the Central Mosque as the Worship place of their paramount leader.”
Mairiga said further that “Since then, the Mosque has gone through a series of renovations by successive Ukwes Takum, culminating in the major one and re-structuring by late Ukwe Aliyu Ibrahim II of the blessed memory.”
According to him, the Mosque was later upgraded and commissioned by Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi in the 1980s.
He also debunked allegations by the Chamba Youths that the Kutep in Takum once demolished a mosque and killed worshippers.
He said, “As for the malicious and wicked lies being peddled by the Chamba Youth that Kuteb people once demolished a Mosque in Takum and killed worshippers, we call on the entire Muslims and the general public to disregard this.
“We wish to place on record that there are several Mosques scattered all over Kuteb land such as Lissam, Rufu, Kwesati among others.
“This is despite the fact that the Kuteb nation has and is still suffering from banditry attacks.
“As a matter of fact, all these Mosques in Kuteb villages are still standing, functioning, and Muslim faithfuls do worship in peacefully.
“It is worthy to note that there is a great contradiction on the proposed demolition of the Central Mosque and Ukwe Palace as depicted by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Taraba State on Islamic Affairs and the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Re-orientation.
“Whereas the S. A. states that the demolition is aimed at promoting the development and welfare of Muslim brothers and sisters in Takum and beyond, and has been welcomed by the community, the Hon. Commissioner for Information on the other hand stated categorically that the State Government has no plan to demolish the Takum Central Mosque and the palace.
“This has placed the Muslim Ummah at a crossroad as the Mosque is currently undergoing renovation.
“We want the entire Muslim Ummah and the World to know that Kuteb Muslims Development Association is a registered Wing of Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria (KYN), an umbrella body of Kuteb World-Wide, whether in America, United Kingdom, Asian Countries, Arab Counties, Muslim, Christian, Atheists or Traditional Worshippers.
“The KYN is the mouthpiece of every Kuteb Sons and Daughters the World over to stand for, protect and defend the interests of her members. It is a gross misconception and mischievous for any person or group of persons to think that the influence of KYN is restricted to any region of the world.”
