By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The Kutep Muslim Development Association (KMDA) has described the proposed demolition of Takum Central Mosque by Taraba State Government as an affront on the right of worship of the Muslim community and a deliberate effort to erase the history of Kuteb Muslims worldwide.
Alhaji Bako Mairiga, State Chairman of the Community who disclose this at a Press briefing in Jalingo on Sunday recalled that the history of the Takum Central Mosque dated back to 1912 when Ukwe Ahmadu Gankwe, was appointed and installed as the Paramount Ruler of Takum in 1914.
“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.
“Since then, the Mosque has gone through series of renovations by successive Ukwe Takum culminating in the major one and re-structuring by late Ukwe Aliyu Ibrahim II of the blessed memory. He actually upgraded the standard of the Mosque which was commissioned by SHEIK DAHIRU USMAN BAUCHI in the 80s. The said Sheik is still alive and can attest to this,” he said.
Mairiga also debunked the claim by Chamba Youth that the Kutep in Takum once demolished a mosque in Takum and killed worshippers. “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 the 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 them peacefully.
Mairiga called on the Muslim world wide to intervene and stop the Taraba State Government from demolishing the Takum Central Mosque.
“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.
According to Mairiga, 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 variance has placed the Muslim Ummah at a cross road as the Takum Central Mosque is currently undergoing renovation by the Takum Central Mosque Committee. The Committee cannot be renovating the Mosque and at the same time be said to have agreed that the same Mosque be demolished or relocated.
“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” he said.
