Ooni Celebrates Eid-El-Fitri With Muslims As Chief Imam Of Ife Commends Him For Religious Tolerance

The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, on Friday joined Muslims worldwide to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, reaffirming his commitment to religious harmony and peaceful coexistence among adherents of different faiths.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the Ooni who is also the Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan, urging them to sustain the virtues of piety, sacrifice, discipline and love for humanity imbibed during the fasting period.

The Ooni described Ramadan as a period of deep spiritual reflection and self-purification, noting that its lessons are essential for building a more united and morally conscious society. He called on Nigerians, irrespective of religious affiliations, to continue to promote peace, tolerance and mutual respect in their daily interactions.

Ooni Ogunwusi further emphasized the need for collective efforts in nation-building, stressing that religious unity remains a vital tool for fostering development and stability across the country. He assured that the palace would continue to serve as a rallying point for all faiths, encouraging dialogue and cooperation among religious leaders.

Meanwhile, the Chief Imam of Ifeland, Alhaji Abdulhamid AbdulSemiu, while speaking with newsmen after the Eid prayer, commended the Ooni for his unwavering support for the Muslim community and his consistent demonstration of religious tolerance.

He noted that the monarch’s inclusive leadership style has strengthened interfaith relations in Ile-Ife, describing him as a symbol of unity and peace.

“The palace of the Ooni is always open to Muslims and people of other faiths. Kabiyesi has shown, through his actions, that religion should unite rather than divide us. We appreciate his fatherly role and continuous support,” he said.

The cleric prayed for the Ooni’s continued reign in peace, good health and wisdom, while also calling on residents of Ile-Ife to emulate the monarch’s example by embracing unity and peaceful coexistence.