The Kutep Muslim Development Association (KMDA) bemoans the double stand taken by the Taraba State government over the planned demolition of the Takum Central Mosque.
KMDA stated that the proposed demolition of Takum Central Mosque by the Taraba government was an affront to the traditional worship history of the Kutep Muslims worldwide.
KMDA noted that while the special adviser to Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State on Islamic Affairs, Hon. Husaini Sma’il, said the mosque’s demolition was for the development of the area, the state’s commissioner for information and re-orientation, Hon. Zeinab Jalingo, said the state government had no plan to demolish the mosque.
Taraba State chairman of the KMDA, Alhaji Bako Mairig made this known while briefing newsmen in Jalingo yesterday, lamenting that the history of the Takum Central Mosque dated back to 1912 when Ukwe Ahmadu Gankwe, who already was Ukwe, was anointed, appointed and installed as the paramount ruler of Takum in 1914.
“Being a Muslim, the Kuteb people saw the need to build the Takum Central Mosque next to the Palace of Ukwe Takum to enable him and other Muslims in Takum worship therein.
“Ukwe Ahmadu Gankwe being a devoted Muslim, his Kuteb brothers all over the 12 surrounding clans were already participating in the construction of the Palace fence, assisted in building the Central Mosque, the worship place of their paramount leader.
“Since then, the mosque has gone through series of renovations by successive Ukwe Takum culminating in the major one and re-structuring by late Ukwe Aliyu Ibrahim II of the blessed memory.
“He actually upgraded the standard of the Mosque which was commissioned by SHEIK DAHIRU USMAN BAUCHI in the 80s. The said Sheik is still alive and can attest to this,” he said.
Mairiga also debunked the claim by Chamba Muslim Youth that the Kutep in Takum once demolished a mosque in Takum and killed worshippers.
“As for the malicious and wicked lies being peddled by the Chamba Muslim Youth that Kuteb people once demolished a Mosque in Takum and killed Worshippers, we call on the entire Muslims and the general public to disregard this.
“We wish to place on record that there are several Mosques scattered all over the Kuteb land e.g. Lissam, Rufu, Kwesati and other Kuteb Villages.
“This is despite the fact that the Kuteb Nation has and is still suffering from banditry attacks, none of these Mosques has been tampered with or demolished.
“As a matter of fact, all these Mosques in Kuteb Villages are still standing, functioning and Muslim faithfuls do worship in them peacefully,” he said.
He noted the insincerity on the part of the state government, saying its officials had given inconsistent defence to convince the general public as to why they had proposed to carry out the demolition of the mosque.
