IN PICTURES: Pandemonium in Ikorodu as strange images appear in mosque

Barely a year after a child was reportedly born with a copy of the Holy Quran in Lagos and another born with an Islamic rosary, (Tesbah) in Sagamu, Ogun State. Last Tuesday, another amazing event occurred at Owode Onirin, Ikorodu, Lagos; as images of some clerics who died decades ago were believed to have made sudden appearances on the walls of Dawiz Central Mosque in the area.

When newsmen visited the mosque, thousands of people and passers-by storm the mosque to have a glimpse.


The images were identified as that of late Sheikh Ahmada Tijani, (Algeria) Sheikh Ibraheem Niass, (Senegal) Sheikh Jamiu Bulala. (Nigeria)

Although the images were not clear as at the time Vanguard visited, but those who spoke to Vanguard said the images were clearer on Tuesday when they were first noticed.

•Perceived image of Sheikh Ibrahim Niass 

According to Eye-witness: “The images were noticed on Tuesday September 3, on the walls of the mosque which was constructed a few months ago and owned by Sheikh Musa Alegbeleye.”

It was gathered that four months ago, the image of Sheikh Jamiu Bulala Islamic Cleric, who had died two decades ago appeared first faintly to the consternation of Muslim faithful and they decided never to make it public to creat any doubt.

The strange occurence has turned the serene Owode Onirin area into a Makkah of sorts as people thronged the area not only to see but to also offer some prayers. Right inside the mosque, people were seen holding bottles/satchets of water muttering prayers and shouting Allahu Akbar (God is great). Some were even seen bowing to the image.

•Perceived image of Sheikh Jamiu Bulala outside the mosque 

Efforts to speak with the founder of the group and leader of the mosque, Sheikh Alegbeleye, was futile, as we were told he was sleeping after observing several vigil prayers.

Speaking on the development and an eye-witness, the President of Islamic society of Nigeria, Lagos State Mukadam Alhaji Samodu Onikoyi confirmed the appearance of the images.  “We started noticing a very faint image which came with intermittent brightness on the inside wall of the mosque which were replica of the portrait of Sheikh Ibrahim Niass, Sheikh Jamiu Bulala and Sheikh Ahmaa Tijani engraved on the walls of the building.”

How it Happened: “A member of the mosque Alhaja Idayatu Idera Afolabi first noticed it and she rushed out to inform everybody and when we saw it, we decided to cover it, because we thought if we announce it, people will think it is ruse that one is trying to play on their intelligence.  But when I also saw it, I was greatly terrified, wondering how such thing could have happened”.

People bowing to the obscure image

“My thought was that the image would eventually disappeared but on the second day, it brightened more and started showing on all sides of the building which made us to still cover it untill it became public“.

An eye-witness also disclosed that attempt was made by some individuals to wash off the images but to no avail; adding that the more they try to rub it off, the more the images become clearer.
Non-Muslims’ comment

I don’t believe it — Mrs Oluranti Jonson

For me, that image is not real and it’s an evil imagination. Because the Bible says Jesus will come down with the Holy Saints and Prophet at the last day. And I will advice those clerics to stop deceiving people because I don’t understand what that means and I have not seen such before.

Crowd trying to gain entry into the mosque

It’s a sign of end time — Mr Mike Nwoha

This is unbelievable, although as a Christian, I’m not trying to say this is evil but to them they believe; it’s a sign of end time and some of them said it is stated in the Koran. So, I cannot judge, only God knows the truth about it. All I can say is that we are all serving the living God, there should not be anything like the Muslims are idol worshipers but to me this is a sign of end time. So, people should mend their ways.

Also, one Mrs Idayatu Afolabi said: “When we saw that the image, it was a strange thing, I told my husband to inform those that know better than us, it was then we called on the Imam who told us not to announce it until now that the images decided to brighten up on the wall of the mosque building “.
The shout of “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great) rented the air as hundreds of people continue to find their ways to the the Mosque in Owode Onirin to have a glimpse

About Sheikh Tijani and Niass

Shaykh Tijani 1735-1815

Shaykh Tijani was born in 1735 in Aïn Madhi, a small village in western-central Algeria. An orphan at the age of 15, and applied himself to his studies. Having learned the Quran by heart at age seven, he studied the fundamentals of Maliki jurisprudence and other texts. For nearly 50 years Shaykh Tijani was the main active propagator of the doctrine of Toriqah.

Crowd who could not be accommodated in the mosque

Shaykh Tijani his passed on Thursday 22 September 1815. After he performed the Subh prayer, he laid down on his right side while he asked for a glass of water then he returned to his bed and died. Even in the coffin, people were rushing and trying hard to hold his coffin and it was a scene full of deep emotions where tears and sorrows constituted the landmark of this great funeral. Shaykh Tijani was buried in his blessed Zawiya. He is followed today by over 300 million disciples world-over.

Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (1900–1975)
Born in 1900 in the village of Taïba Niassène between the Senegalese city of Kaolack and the border of Gambia, the main representative of the Tijaniya- Sufi Order, often referred to as Tariqat al-Tijjaniyyaa.  During his youth, Sheykh Ibrahim relocated with his father to the city of Kaolack, where they established the zwiya (religious center) of Lewna Ñaseen.

Shaykh Ibrahim’s role as principal Imam of the Medina Baay mosque has been carried out by the Cisse family. While serving as Medina Baay’s Imam, he took his teachings to the United States, United Kingdom and many other western countries. He was regarded as Leader of Tariqa al-Tijaniyya after the late Ah,ada Tijani. He died in August, 2008.

Culled from Vanguard

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