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The University Mosque
THE OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY ILE-IFE, CENTRAL MOSQUE
The quest to erect a befitting mosque for the work and worship of Allah has been long and arduous. Between 1962 and 1966 when the University was quartered in Ibadan, a shed made out of palm fronds served as a mosque. The University moved to its permanent site in Ile-Ife in January 1967 and that reinvigorated our efforts to build a mosque. The authorities could not allocate a piece of land because there was no provision for a mosque in the University's Master plan. So dire was the need for a place of worship that a narrow space, which could only take three rows of worshippers, was found behind Fajuyi Hall common room. In a short time, the space became inadequate and we had to relocate to the internal part of the common room. Not long after, the common room was converted to a reading room and we had to relocate, once again. One of the pavilions of the University Sports Centre provided us yet another temporary refuge for service on Fridays. The place was least convenient. Worshippers contended with the scorching heat during the dry season, and wet and messy floor during the rains. Even that temporary refuge was short-lived as our Friday services were clashing with sporting activities! Ironically, for some time in our history, our Jumat prayers were conducted in the students’ buttery at Fajuyi Hall Annexe which at other times served as relaxation spot for other students and where alcoholic beverages was freely consumed. We were only too happy to bear the additional burden of scrubbing and mopping the floor every Friday before Jumat prayer. Almighty Allah (SWT) eventually rewarded our efforts and in 1981, after 19 years of struggle, parcels of land were allocated to the religious communities, then on campus: Muslims, Catholics, traditional religionists. Shortly after the allocation was made, we were barred from holding our prayers in the buttery. To avoid the embarrassment of forceful eviction, we hurriedly put up a structure on our land. Temporary as the structure was, the relief that we felt at having a ‘permanent place’ for worship was beyond what words could describe and we worshipped there with pride and gladness in our hearts. The Mulsim population on campus experienced a steady growth, which was reflected in the Jumat services. We knew in our hearts that we had to build a mosque befitting of the University, then considered to have the most beautiful campus in Africa. More importantly, a befitting edifice to the glory of Allah. It did not come, therefore, as a surprise when the university authority told us that the precondition for building was that our mosque had to be a masterpiece that would complement the beautiful landscape of the campus. Thus, in 1985 the University donated to us an architectural design estimated to cost N3.5 million to erect.
The Central Mosque Complex The revaluation of the construction cost (mosque) carried out in March 1991, was estimated at N15.00 million, and this again rose to N50.00 million in 2004. In 2001, the Lagos State Chapter of Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA) set a target of N10million for themselves towards the completion of the mosque project. Their efforts, in 4 years, produced 50% of their target sum. As it became increasingly clear that inflation and economic crunch were always ahead of us, we had to resort to direct labour in order to save the project that had been abandoned for almost 15 years. It was, indeed, heartening that the efforts to raise N1 million naira from the recently graduated brothers and sisters, during the 2005 Ramdhan yielded N1.175 million
The Current State of Affairs Dear brothers and sisters, the journey towards the ‘promised land’ started 44 years ago, 25 of which we took possession of the land and our beloved mosque is yet to be completed. We are still far from the materialization of our collective dream – a befitting edifice for the work and worship of our creator. The experience of worshippers during Friday Salat could be likened to what we experienced in the very early stages of our history. Brothers and sisters, this is a clarion call for us to rally together to complete what our great heroes started. It is a duty and a tribute we owe them. We must support the works and sacrifices of our pioneering heroes. Completion of the project is a sign of gratitude to Almighty Allah for all the benefits which He had deemed fit to bestow upon us. “The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn: it groweth seven ears and each ear hath a hundred grains. Allah giveth manifold increase to whom He pleaseth; and Allah careth for all and He knoweth all things”. Q2:261). And as we all know, “Those who give in charity, both men and women, and lend unto Allah a beautiful loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credit) and they shall have (besides) a rich reward”. Q57:18 Dear brothers and sisters, donate generously towards the completion of this project by 2011. Your Alma Mater needs you. The mosque needs you to serve Allah in this special way. Please inform your friends and relatives, fellow members of UNIFEMGA, wherever they may be, within or without Nigeria. Kindly fill in your contact detail on our website or mail it to any of the following: Bro. (Dr.) Bello Musodiq : mobello2@yahoo.com , +18326208555, USA or visit our secretariat in Lagos, Nigeria: National Secretariat, 382 Ikorodu Road, Maryland, Lagos. Account email: oaumasjidfunds@unifemga.com May the special blessings of Allah (SWT) be upon you and yours. During the next few weeks , we shall get across to you in informing you on how to pay for this mosque Project and we shall also keep you inform of the progress of the mosque. Maa salaam
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