President Bola Tinubu has expressed his sadness over the passing of Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Hadiyyatullah Iwo, the 81-year-old president of Nigeria’s Supreme Council for Shariah, who died on Monday.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu hailed the late cleric as a revered Islamic scholar and a pillar of religious leadership and moral guidance in the country.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Hadiyyatullah Iwo, the President of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria”, the statement partly read.
Following Janazah prayers on Tuesday, Hadiyyatullah, the founder and director of Sheikh Ibn Baz Shariah College of Nigeria in Iwo, Osun State, will be laid to rest on the college’s grounds.
Reflecting on the cleric’s legacy, Tinubu praised his lifelong commitment to Islam and humanitarian causes.
“President Tinubu described Sheikh Hadiyyatullah as a respected Islamic scholar who devoted most of his life to Islam and humanity. As President of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria, he provided uncommon leadership and direction to the Council. As a cleric, he lived by the way of Allah and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). As a human being, he lived an impactful life, touching many lives through his Shariah College, ‘Tinubu remarked.”
The President further recalled the pivotal support given by the Supreme Council for Shariah under Hadiyyatullah’s leadership during the 2023 general elections. He recalled the invaluable support the Shariah Council, under Hadiyyatullah’s leadership, offered him during the 2023 electioneering as it stood for truth and justice and denounced lies and propaganda.”
Offering his condolences, Tinubu extended sympathy to the late cleric’s family, the people of Iwo, and the wider Islamic community in Nigeria.
“The President commiserated with Sheikh Hadiyyatullah’s family, the people of Iwo land and the Islamic Ummah in the country, particularly the eminent leaders of the Shariah Council.
“Muslims in Nigeria will sorely miss Sheikh Hadiyyatullah’s humility, deep knowledge, and devotion to Islam”, the President added.
He, however, urged the Council to uphold the values championed by the deceased and continue to foster peace and religious harmony across the country.
“He urged the Council to continue propagating the ideals of justice, religious tolerance, unity, peace, and harmony that the organisation stands for and that Sheikh Hadiyyatullah also stood for in his lifetime.”
The President also offered prayers for the repose of the late scholar’s soul. He sought forgiveness for the late Sheikh, and also prayed for strength and grace for all those the cleric left behind, offering his heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.”
