Be modest in your sermons, Alaafin urges religious leaders
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has called on Nigerians not to perceive religious diversity as a barrier to human relations and development but rather a tool or resource for national development.
He gave this advice on Friday, during a special Jumat and thanksgiving service held at the Central Mosque in Oyo town as part of the activities lined up for the coronation ceremony.
This was contained in a statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Saturday,
Oba Owoade also advised religious faithful in Nigeria to realise that religious tolerance and harmony are both legally sanctioned and socially inevitable, as the world can never be composed of one religion or culture.
The monarch noted that all religious communities must understand that there is no alternative to interfaith dialogue, as there can never be a universal religion or an exclusive society for adherents of a particular religion.
“Every religious group has the right to uninhibited religious practice, as this must be done with commensurate or reciprocal respect for the rights of other faithful to practise their own religious traditions; provided that such does not constitute any derogation to the right of others to observe their own rituals.
‘’This desirable scenario of religious harmony can be achieved in Nigeria only through the establishment and sustenance of a neo-religious educational praxis that would generate a culture and orientation of multi-religiosity in our children and youths, as well as a commensurate programme of re-orientation of the adult population.
“Hirtherto, the dominant model of religious education in Nigeria has been faith-oriented and overwhelmed by religious indoctrination and dogma,” he said.
The Alaafin counseled all religious communities to educate their leaders or preachers on the need for religious harmony and the tolerance of other faiths.
He reminded the religious leaders “on the need to keep their sermons within the realm of moderation and modesty.”
Owoade further stressed the need to strengthen inter-faith dialogue at the national, state and local levels in order to prevent future manifestations of religious violence.
The monarch reiterated his mission as the symbol of the people’s past, custodian of their history and past, upholder and preserver of their culture, customs, and epitome of cultural norms and values such as truth, discipline, courage and responsibility.
“I will continue to show a sympathetic understanding for the traditions, customs and religions of the people. This is to enable me enjoy the respect, obedience and reverence from my people because the authority and power actually come from the traditions of the people,” he said.
Earlier, the Musafat of Oyoland and the acting Chief Imam, Abdulazeez Eleyele, told the Alaafin to always seek divine intervention in all his actions and deeds on the throne.
He also urged the people to always pray for the success of the monarch on the throne and abstain from acts detrimental to peace, progress and development.
On the entourage of the Alaafin were some members of the Oyo Mesi, 10 upgraded Baales (village heads) to the status of Part 2 monarch, Owoade Royal families, and members of the Local Organising Committee of the coronation led by its Chairman, Kunle Ogunmola.
