The Ilorin Emirate was shrouded in mourning as news spread of the passing of Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Saliu, the revered Chief Imam of Ilorin, who died at 75 after a brief illness in Abuja.
His remains arrived at the Emir’s Palace, where a solemn Janazah prayer was held, attended by dignitaries, Islamic scholars, and mourners from across Kwara State and beyond.
The late Chief Imam, appointed in 1983, had served the Ilorin Emirate with distinction for over four decades, earning widespread respect for his wisdom, humility, and advocacy for peace and unity.
His leadership played a pivotal role in promoting interfaith harmony and Islamic scholarship in the region.
As mourners gathered, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, eulogized Sheikh Saliu as a man of exceptional character, intelligence, and dedication, whose demise was a monumental loss to the Ilorin Emirate, the Muslim Ummah, and humanity.
The Governor of Kwara State, Mal. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, also mourned the Chief Imam, describing him as a symbol of integrity, wisdom, and humility.
The Janazah prayer, initially scheduled for Monday, was rescheduled to Tuesday, January 20, 2026, as mourners paid their final respects to the departed spiritual leader.
