WHEN SACRED SPACES BECOME BATTLEGROUNDS
Yesterday was another deeply saddening day; a day that should stir the hearts of all who value peace, faith and community. A distressing video made the rounds, capturing a moment of chaos at the very heart of our sacred Igu Koton Karfe Central Mosque. And yet, amidst the viral clips and conflicting narrations, the truth remains buried beneath layers of silence, fear and bias.
To speak the truth is not to incite but to heal. What unfolded yesterday is not an isolated incident; it is the symptom of a festering wound; one that has continued to bleed since the dethronement of a traditional ruler. That decision, “rightly or wrongly”, has divided our community spiritually, emotionally and physically.
Since that fateful dethronement, factional crisis has eluded the land though expected, it should have come with some level of decorum. Unfortunately, trust between neighbors, brothers and even prayer companions has deteriorated. Kogi Local Traditional Council and its environs have become battlegrounds of ideology and allegiance, spiraling from one crisis to another. One of the earliest signs was the establishment of a new Eid ground; created not out of necessity but as a deliberate decision to avoid praying alongside the enthroned king. A choice that speaks volumes and debatable based on personal perception.
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That same year, tensions flared into open confrontation, with injuries sustained on both sides. Though it was partially resolved, the scars remain. A once united community, bonded by shared faith, now finds itself fractured by either politics, pride and/or historical grievances. Eid grounds have multiplied. Historic clan visits once symbols of harmony have been suspended. While state intervention may have curbed further escalation, the root causes remain unaddressed. Hopefully, the supreme court which I believe will be the last resort will lay the whole matter to rest.
Now, even our mosques, our last sacred refuge are not spared. Yesterday, Friday, July 25th, 2025, reports surfaced that the Chief Imam of the JIBWIS Central Mosque delegated someone else to lead the Jumu’ah prayer, despite the Deputy Imam being present and reportedly in good health. This decision ignited immediate objections. Supporters of both factions clashed not over doctrine but over politics disguised as piety.
In a space meant for unity under Allah’s Name, the congregation witnessed an unfortunate display of division that led to suspending fridays proceedings. Alhamdulillah, no lives were lost, but a deeper spiritual loss occurred; one that should worry every God-fearing person.
Personally, I firmly believe the mosque is not a battlefield for traditional loyalties. Allah reminds us Surah Al-Anbiya (21:92), “Indeed, this nation of yours is one nation and I am your Lord, so worship Me.”
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) also warned as reported by Sahih Muslim 1850, “He who fights under the banner of pride, angry for the sake of group loyalty, or calls to tribalism, or supports tribalism and is killed, then he dies a death of Jahiliyyah (ignorance).”
So I ask, have we not allowed tribalism and political rivalry to infiltrate the sanctity of our faith? When Imams are no longer seen as spiritual guides but as political figures, then indeed, we have lost our way.
As though the mosque incident was not troubling enough, things took a darker turn. After the Friday prayer and the turbaning ceremony that followed, an attack was reportedly launched on some appointees while they were returning home. A vehicle belonging to one of the appointees had its rear windshield shattered in the ambush.
This act is not only condemnable; it is shameful. It is one thing to disagree; it is another to descend into targeted violence. This is not how a just, civil or God-conscious society behaves.
No provocation, real or perceived justifies violence and no political dispute or loyalty should embolden anyone to raise a hand or a stone against a fellow human being, especially one entrusted with public service. This descent into street-level vengeance, if left unchecked, will cost us more than broken glass; it will cost us our dignity our unity and ultimately, our peace.
Our religious leaders must rise above factionalism. They are not representatives of any earthly throne, but rather the inheritors of the Prophet’s mission. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:42), “And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it].”
There is no scriptural basis in Islam for intertwining traditional institutions with the pulpit. When leading prayer or preaching, personal affiliations must be left outside the mosque doors. The Imam’s role is to call people to Allah, to justice and to unity not to lean toward one camp or another.
To all those appointed or elected into positions of leadership whether traditional, religious, or political, always remember that history will remember you. And even if history does not, the Day of Judgment will.
Therefore, It is crucial that such individuals document their actions, clarify their roles and remain transparent before distorted narratives take root. Allah reminds us in Surah Az-Zalzalah (99:7–8), “So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”
To all those who stood in the mosque yesterday and to those who ambushed a convoy thereafter, I ask sincerely; What will you be remembered for?
Will it be for fanning the flames of division? For turning sacred and civic spaces into arenas of ego and retaliation? Or will it be for choosing the higher path, even in the face of provocation?
Lets bear in mind that no title, no throne, no loyalty no matter how deep-rooted should come before Allāh. We will not be judged by the kings we followed, but by the truth we stood for, the hearts we healed and the peace we preserved.
O Allah, purify our intentions. Mend what is broken in our community. Protect our places of worship and public service from worldly strife. Restore lasting peace to Igu Koton Karfe and all our lands. Allahuma Amin!
NB: This is a personal reflection. It should not be attributed to any institution or group. May it serve only as a sincere voice of reason in turbulent times.
– Abdulkadir Bin ABDULMALIK
26/07/25
