The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has expressed sadness over the demise of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Imam-Solih.

This is contained in a condolence message issued by the emir’s Press Secretary, Dr Abdulazeez Arowona on Monday, in Ilorin, following the Chief Imam’s death.

Sulu-Gambari described the death of the chief Imam as a colossal loss to the Ilorin Emirate, the entire Muslim Ummah and humanity in general.

The emir said: “Inna lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi rajiun, it is with total submission to the will of Almighty Allah that we accept the death of Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shaykh Muhammad Bashir Imam-Solih on Monday.

“He was a cleric with unique features, such as intelligence, honesty, loyalty, dedication and tolerance.

“His demise has caused us in Ilorin Emirate great sadness of no particular measure.

“We reflect on his lifetime as a man of great honour and piety,” he said.

Sulu-Gambari stressed that the late Imam-Solih was full of wisdom and was known for unifying the entire Muslim clerics as well as promoting inter-religious harmony in the state.

He added, “The Janazah will hold at the Palace Square of the Emir of Ilorin, by 4 p.m today.”

The emir prayed the Almighty Allah to grant Imam-Solih absolute forgiveness, accept his good deeds and admit him into Al-Janatul Firdaus.