The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, has disclosed that his late father’s conversion to Islam was inspired by the kindness of a Muslim family, not through preaching.
The monarch made the revelation while hosting the national delegates of Dawah Front who were in Abeokuta for a national programme, chronicled the history of Islam in Owu land, where he stressed that justice and good character remain the most effective tools for winning people to the faith.
Oba Matemilola narrated how his father, who hailed from a Christian background, embraced Islam after being sheltered by a group of Muslims popularly called Bandele during his difficult years in Abeokuta.
“My father was from a Christian family but, converted to Islam because of the kindness shown to him by Muslims who asked for nothing in return,” the monarch said.
While speaking on what is expected of muslims, the monarch said “Justice must be upheld regardless of family or religious affiliation.Our characters should be a tool to sanitize the world.”
He warned Muslims against acts of dishonesty in their dealings, such as shortchanging customers, noting that “reducing measurements” is a form of cheating condemned by Islam.
Earlier in his lecture, Prof. Taofik AbdulAzeez of the University of Abuja, who is also the Imam of Dawah Front, called on the Olowu to spearhead the rebuilding of the first mosque in Egbaland, believed to have been established in 1861.
The cleric described envy as “satanic” and urged Muslims to focus on their personal journeys rather than comparing themselves to others.
“Life is like an examination hall with personalized questions. We must focus on our own tests and not be distracted by envy,” AbdulAzeez said, while commending the monarch for his good character and service to both Muslims and non-Muslims.
In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Owu, Sulaeman Yunus, and the Waziri of Owu, Ustadh Mukaila Shoyinka, traced Owu’s deep Islamic roots to the establishment of its first Qur’anic centre in 1851.
Shoyinka revealed that Owu town alone has about 36 mosques in Owu-Oke and Isale, with the total number across the kingdom exceeding 100.
He noted that the kingdom has produced prominent Muslim figures, including the late Chief Imam Alhaj Noah Sodeinde, Alhaj M. Ola Yusuf, and the late Justice Bola Ajibola, founder of Crescent University, Abeokuta among others.
Describing Islam and Owu as “Siamese twins,” Shoyinka said the religion has flourished in the kingdom for over a century while fostering peaceful relations between Muslims and Christians.
He said ” We were told that the first mosque was established in 1861, Fulani mosque in Owu land But the first quranic centre wasestablished in 1851.”
The event had in attendance the national Coordinator ; Alhaj Muslihdeen AbdulGafar; Secretary of the Board of Trustees , Alhaj Qasim Alabi ; deputy Imam, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Sarafadeen AbdulKareem among others .
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