(League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land. Photo by Punch News)
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land has warned against unauthorized conferment of Islamic chieftaincy titles historically associated with the organization.
The league said certain individuals or groups have been conferring titles that resemble or copy distinguished Islamic ranks traditionally conferred by the league’s leadership.
This creates confusion about what the titles mean and who has authority to grant them.
The league, established in 1964, has used these titles for over six decades to recognize Muslims for outstanding service and contributions to Islam and Muslim welfare in Yoruba Land.
Only the league’s constituted leadership is authorized to confer them.
The organization said no individual, society or group can represent itself as an affiliate or authorized arm of the league without express approval from its leadership.
Similarly, anyone conferring league-established titles without authorization should not be understood as acting on the league’s behalf.
The league expressed particular concern about titles historically reserved for distinguished Muslims being reproduced indiscriminately or given to people who are not Muslim.
Such practices blur understanding of what the titles represent and their true origin.
The organization said it is not opposed to legitimate recognition by lawful societies or traditional institutions and that every organization can create its own honours.
Its concern is with the unauthorized use or reproduction of established league titles in ways that mislead the public into believing they came from the league when they did not.
The league urged anyone seeking to use, reproduce or publicly associate any of its titles with their activities to obtain written approval from its leadership before proceeding.
