Brief History of Islam in Otan-Ile
This said founding father of Islamic Religion in Otan-Ile fought tooth and nail and thrived very hard to see to the propagation of the religion around the nooks and crannies of Otan-Ile. Alfa Sheu Amad Tijani was the first to establish Quaranic School where people learnt the recitation of Holy Quran. Among those that benefitted from such school include Abdul Salam Ajayi from Alawusa’s Compound, Mallam Bello Abogunde, Malam Gbadamosi from Agbo’s compound, Aliyu Olawale and host of others.
In 1935, Tijani started an evening class where he taught the Koran in Arabic. This retarded the growth of western education in Otan-Ile. Pupils of his school include Alfas Bello, Aliu Lawale, Alokan, Aasani, Arilewo, Gbadamosi and Yisa, the first Missioner of N.U.D In 1938 Mallam Salawu was employed as a teacher in the school and he left in 1941 due to poor pay. Despite, Alfa Tijani Junior continued his teachings and islam was being accepted by many in Otan-Ile.
In 1942, Alfa Tijanio started the Egbe Alasalatu under its first Chairman, Alfa Lasisi Fesogun. Alfa Fesogun got the Egbe Alasalatu registered as Nawair-Ud-deen (N.U.D.) Society in 1946. The NUD later employed Alfa Ojikutu as a teacher in the Mokaranta School and so revived the school. The NUD later established its own primary school, the Nawair-Ud-deen Primary School in 1950. This is a major achievement as all moslems were enjoined to send their children to school.
It was when the Islamic religion has been well forstered that the first ever mosque foundation was laid at Idiayan precisely in the year 1902 with the co-operation and support of their religious leaders. Among when we had Busari Awe (first Balogun Adinni), Hazzan Eko, Sunmonu from Ewi’s Compound, Mr. Amodu from Fakoroe’s compound the 1st Bada, Malam Sanusi from Agbo’s compound, Mr Sule Aluko, Hazzan Oni from Odo-Oroki compound.
After some years of Islamic propagation, people (believers) all the way from Odo-Oroki used to come to Imojigbon – Idiayan to observe five daily prayers. When these people are becoming many, compromise was reached and decision was taken to build another mosque; the second of its kind for Odo-Oroki congregation in the year 1920.
Having erected two mosques, the rate at which unbeliever turned and converted into Islamic religion was at its peak hence, the idea to have a central mosque for all Muslim came into being the foundation of the Central Mosque was laid in the year 1924.
In 1938, the entire Muslim Community of the town founded an Arabic school called “Mogaranta” using the Central Mosque as the venue. This development came through Alfa Yakubu Imam from Ikirun while Alfa Salawudeen also Ikirun was the only Arabic Teacher.
In 1948, the Islamic Religion in Otan-Ile witnessed yet another transformation with the establishment of Nawar-Ru-Deen Society of Nigeria, Otan-Ile Branch. It was shouldered by Abdul Azeez Fesogun with the support and contribution from some eminent religious leaders. Among whom we have Messrs Hazzan Ode from Alawusa’s Compound, Jinadu Oriola, Bello Idowu, Ramonu Atiya and so forth. The idea to have Nawair-ru-Deen Society of Nigeria branch in Otan Ile was initiated from Abeokuta.
It was in 1950, that Muslim Primary School where student learnt both Arabic and Western Education came into being. The Arabic section of Arabic section of the school was handled by Mallam Uthuman; Son of Chief Imam of Offa. It was that particular year precisely on 23-3-2950 that Chief Imam Sheu Ahmed Tijani that brought Islam to Otan-Ile died.
Also in the year 1973, Ansar-ur-Deen Society of Nigeria, Otan-Ile Chapter came into being through Alfa Yunus Fatomide Alhaji Nasiru Komolafe, Subair Yusuf, Badiru oni and host of others. Ansar-ur-Deen Society also started Arabic School under the tutelage of Alfa Sodiq Afolayan from Omu-Aran.
Islamic Religion in Otan-Ile witnessed another development with the establishment of Muslim Community Nursery and Primary School in 1993. To be sincere, the religion has witnessed tremendous progress and it has been widely spread around the nook and crannies of the town, and as at today, there are ten mosques widely located at each street with the central mosque as the eleventh.
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May Almighty Allah reward every soul that has fought tooth and nail to ensuring the propagation of Islamic Religion in Otan-Ile. May Allah continue to foster the religion in Otan-Ile and prosper all Muslims in the universe (Amin.)
Today, apart from the Central Mosque, there are 8 others mosques in Otan-Ile. They are located at Idi Ayan, Odoroki, Ile Osolo, Idofin, Araromi, Anaye, Inigbo, Erekete. The first chief Imam and the Islamic Chief Missioner in Otan-Ile, Alfa Tijani died in 1950. The second Chief Imam. Alfa Salami Alawusa, who was not popular, died in 1957. The third chief Imam, Alfa Gbadamosi Ale was appointed in 1957 and he died in 1981. The present Chief Imam, Alhaji Ganiyu Aladeokin was appointed in 1982, and died in 2001 while Alh. Fatomide Saka became Imam in 2002 to 2010, Imam Sanusi Jimoh in 2011-till date.
One notable thing in islam as is practiced in Otan-Ile is that the cooperation between Christians and moslems. Whatever organization proposes the establishment of any project that will benefit the entire people. The people of boths religion cooperated. On moslem festival days, Christians worship with moslems at praying grounds. The moslem reliogion in Otan-Ile is dynamic, forward looking and education conscious.
