Chieftaincy squabble puts Mutengene Muslim community in disarray, dissident group embarks on illegal construction of Mosque  

By Wilson Musa

The matter is now being handled by the Police after both the recognized leader of the Mutenge Muslim Community and the Council of Imam failed to stop the dissident group from constructing their Mosque and requesting monetary contributions online.

Pictures from the new site show the building incomplete but dozens gathered to pray. The latest prayer session was on Friday, June 24, 2022. CNA learned that as part of the investigations, the Police were present.

The President of the Mutengene Muslim Community, El-Hadj Saidou told CNA “It all originated from chieftaincy ( Sariki) squabble, and the purported Chief f the Muslim community was clearly notified that he is not the chief of Mutengene. The findings went up to the level of the Governor he set up a commission that worked for almost 8 months and came out with resolutions”

When the Commission recognized another person, Mr. Mohammadou Isiaka as the Muslim leader, (Sariki) Mr. Hamasani Sule, decided to create his own Mosque. He reportedly ganged up to create their prayer site with the Mutengene Imam, Buba Shittu, who was suspended by the Council of Imam,

“He decided that he cannot pray alongside those who were against him are praying. So they started the construction of a prayer place on a rented piece of land that the Tiko Admin gave an injunction for them to stop working at that site…They now went on the empty air site and started praying, that is where they are praying,” El-Hadj Saidou revealed.

According to a correspondence obtained by Cameroon News Agency, the Council of Imams wrote the Tiko administration on June 1, 2022, insisting that “The Council of Imam and Muslims dignitaries of Cameroon for the South West region has not approved any such prayer venue in Mutengene. They hereby dissociate themselves from any Islamic activities at that said venue”

The President of the Muslim Community on his part reiterated that “In Islam, it is not done like that, you cannot break away from a Mosque and create your own Mosque. A prayer place is accredited by Muslim authorities within that region. They want to institute that one to bring division within the community. Individuals do not just get up and create Mosques like that. They can build Mosque, but they do it with consultation with Islamic authorities”

The Council of Imam and Muslims in the South West region has raised concerns after the Divisional Officer of Tiko, allegedly lifted a ban on the said prayer site. This suspension gave the go-ahead to the dissidents to organize prayers on Friday, June 14.