Ramadan: Saraki Begins Iftar Dinner With Stakeholders, Visits Emir Of Ilorin, Family Of Late Chief Imam

Former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki arrived in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Saturday and began activities that Muslims usually engage in during the fasting season.

He began his engagements in Ilorin with a condolence visit to the residence of late Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Salihu, the former Chief Imam of Ilorin, and later paid homage to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari at his palace while also participating in key religious activities with the residents.

Dr Saraki’s Press Officer on Local Matters, Mr Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir noted in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com that the former Senate President, who was received by the Ajanasi Agba of Ilorin, Dr. Mujeetabah Yusuf Bature and other clerics, offered his condolences to the late Imam’s wives, children, and extended family.

He described the late Islamic scholar as a father figure who held a special place in his life.

‘This afternoon, I arrived in Ilorin and made it my first priority to visit the home of our late Chief Imam, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Salihu, to spend some time with his family.

It is my prayer that Almighty Allah grants him a place among the righteous in Al-Jannah Firdaus and protects the family he left behind’ he said.

The former Senate President added that the bond he shared with the late cleric remains enduring with the family.

‘The late Chief Imam took me as a son, and I took him as a father. To the children, as your father took me as a son, you are my children. My house is your house and I pledge a continued bond with this family’ he said.

Dr Saraki also reflected on the cleric’s final days, noting that he made efforts to support his health as he had always done but ultimately submitted to the will of Allah as some individuals had politicized it.

‘He was very dear to me and I did my best in his lifetime to support his health and wellbeing. But as Muslims, we submit to the will of Almighty Allah’ he added while praying for the repose of the soul of the late Imam and peace within the Ilorin Emirate.

After the condolence visit, he proceeded to the palace of Emir of Ilorin ,HRH, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari to pay homage to the monarch while expressing delight at meeting him in good health and high spirits.

‘As part of his Ramadan engagements, Dr Saraki is commencing participation in daily Tafsir sessions, Iftar dinner with residents, and Taraweeh prayer with the people of Kwara State from today’ the statement added while noting that the aforementioned activities are aimed at enabling him to spend the holy month in close fellowship with the community.

Muslims are ordered to fast from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan and Iftar is the evening meal they take after the sun has gone down-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you