Mammoth crowd as late Chief Imam of Ilorin laid to rest 

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin 

Thousands of Muslim faithful converged on the forecourt of the palace of the Emir of Ilorin for the final burial rites of the late Chief Imam of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Ulamah, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu.

The funeral prayer was led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Sheikh Abdullahi Abdulhameed on Tuesday in Ilorin.

The palace forecourt was filled to capacity, as security operatives struggled to control the massive crowd that turned out to pay their last respects.

Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, and dignitaries from different walks of life extolled the virtues of the late Chief Imam, describing him as a deeply grounded Islamic scholar whose impact transcended the Ilorin Emirate.

The death of the revered cleric was confirmed on Monday.He died at the age of 75.

Born in Ilorin, Kwara State, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu devoted his life to Islamic scholarship, teaching, and spiritual service to the Ilorin Emirate.

The Janazah was attended by dignitaries including, governor’s representatives, former president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, top politicians, imams from different towns like Offa, Ogbomosho and other clerics,who all paid glowing tributes to the late Imam.