Tears, tributes as Ilorin Chief Imam, Sheikh Saliu, is laid to rest

Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, stood still on Tuesday as thousands of mourners thronged the forecourt of the Emir of Ilorin’s palace for the final burial rites of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu, amid tears and deep emotion.

From the early hours of the day, streams of Muslim faithful, Islamic scholars, traditional rulers and political leaders converged on the palace in a solemn show of grief to honour the revered cleric, whose influence spanned generations and institutions within and beyond Kwara State.

The janazah prayer, which commenced precisely at 10:00 a.m., was led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Sheikh Abdullahi Abdulhameed. In his admonition, Sheikh Abdulhameed prayed for the Ilorin Emirate, the government and the people, urging them to reflect on the late cleric’s exemplary life of service, devotion and spiritual leadership.

The palace forecourt was filled beyond capacity, forcing security operatives to struggle with crowd control as mourners flooded the premises. Due to the overwhelming turnout, the janazah prayer was conducted with the body of the deceased remaining inside the ambulance that conveyed it to the palace, for safety and security reasons.

An additional gate was later opened to ease movement as the body was brought out and conveyed to Egbejila area of Ilorin, where the late scholar’s Arabic school and residence are located. He was laid to rest there in accordance with Islamic rites.

Many residents likened the atmosphere at the palace to scenes usually witnessed during Eid prayers or Ilorin Emirate durbar, as mourners climbed walls and structures within the palace premises in a bid to catch a final glimpse of the departed Islamic leader.

Sheikh Saliu was widely regarded as one of the closest confidants of the Emir of Ilorin. A palace source disclosed that the Emir was deeply shaken by the news of the cleric’s death.

“The Emir wept when the news was broken to him and could only take his breakfast past noon on Monday. The deceased was very close to him,” the source said.

The burial attracted a large gathering of eminent personalities cutting across political, religious and social divides. Among them were representatives of the Kwara State governor led by the Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor, Saadu Salaudeen; former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki; Senator representing Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha; and former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Kawu Baraje.

Others in attendance included former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Professor Ali Ahmad; former Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Engineer Bolakale Kawu; and Vice-Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Professor Lateef Oladimeji.

Prominent Islamic scholars and traditional rulers from within and outside Kwara State were also present. They included the Grand Mufti of Ilorin, Sheikh Faruq Onikijipa; Chief Judge of the Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen; Justice Idris Haroon (retd); the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin; Dr Usman Abubakar Jos; Chief Imam of Offa, Sheikh Muyideen Salman Hussein Al-Imam; the Ajanasi Agba of Ilorin, Sheikh Mujtabah Yusuf Bature; Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Dr Yunus Taliat Olushina Ayilara II; and an Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja, Sheikh Salman Solagberu, among many others.

At Egbejila, a crowd estimated at over 1,000 people gathered to witness the final interment. Islamic clerics and scholars offered prayers at the graveside, committing his soul to Allah and praying for forgiveness and Al-Jannah Firdaus.

Outside his residence, grief was palpable as mourners wept openly, mourning the loss of a spiritual father, teacher and moral compass whose guidance shaped countless lives.

Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu is remembered for his humility, deep knowledge of Islam and unwavering commitment to peace, unity and religious guidance within the Ilorin Emirate and the wider Muslim community.

His death was confirmed on Monday. He died at the age of 75, marking the end of a life widely described as one devoted to Islamic scholarship, leadership and service.