Igbo tribe , no doubt are predominately christians by religion and
they chose their leaders as well mostly from the christian faith.
But their exist a community in Igbo land were the traditional ruler is
a devoted muslim. That community is the ancient Umuofor kingdom
in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo state.
His Royal Highness, Abdul Fatai Chima Emetumah Duru the 3rd and
Ofor the 9th of Umuofor autonomous community is the royal father
chosen by his community to be their custodian of culture and
tradition.
Umuofor is a big community blessed with good people that believe
in oneness, agriculture is the main occupation of the people which
they often export some of their farm produce to other parts of the
state and beyond. Cassava and palm oil are the main export
materials.
How Umuofor embraced Islam
In 1970, when Eze Abdul Gafar Ihunanze Duru Emetumah, 2nd,
father of the incumbent traditional ruler of Umuofor was converted
to Islam, his people who believed in his kindness and generosity
followed him. Although he was yet to preside over Umuofor as their
king, but in 1977 he eventually became their ruler then under Awa
autonomous community comprising of Akabo, Awa and
Ejemekwuru.
By the time Eze Abdul Gafar was converted to Islam, his son, the
incumbent monarch was just eleven years of age and automatically
joined his father with the religion.
Umuofor under the reign of Eze Abdul fatai Chima Emetumah
After inheriting his father’s stool after his death, he continued with
the religion as he grew from faith to faith and eventually turban by
the late Emir of Kano, Adobayero in November, 1992.
Islam according to the royal father goes beyond the religion of the
northerners in the country, he described Islam as a universal
religion, personal to the believer which preaches peace and oneness
to all.
Umuofor join the world in celebrating Edil Kabir
The celebration of this years’ Edil Kabir was unique in Umuofor
kingdom as all the muslim faithful prayed with their royal father at
the mosque in the community and subsequently in a procession to
the palace of Emetumah the 3rd.
The royal father who also doubled as the chief Imam preached love
and unity to his people who gathered at his palace . After listening
to their king, they wine and dine with him and left with a gift each by
the monarch.
Relationship between christian and Islam worshipers in Umuofor
In spite of the traditional ruler being a muslim, their exists a cordial
relationship between christians and muslims in the community .
They both derives joy in participating in the festivals of their
religions. As a matter of fact the king leads by example as he attend
ceremonies he is invited by the three main churches in the
community, even sometimes he finds time to worship with the
church just opposite his palace. Oguta, the local government area of
Umuofor have three central mosque.
What residents say about Islam in the community
An indigene of the community, Abdul Wahab Nwabuihe who said he
joined Islam in 1971 and have trained all his ten children including
his 13 grand children in the doctrine said they have no qualms with
christians in the community. According to him they don’t believe in
division as they inter marry and coexists as one.
Another son of the soil, Obed Orumezie who is a christian
corroborated the remarks of his muslim brothers and sisters. To
him, he does not see anything strange in cooperating with the
muslims in the country.
Eze Emetumah’s take on insurgency in the nation
He believes those hiding under the cloak of Islam to perpetrate evil
in the country are not of Islam. The Insurgency , he believes is the
handiwork of some selfish politicians in the country, he advised
politicians to see politics as a sport were a looser embraces the
victor.
Challenges in Umuofor
One of the major challenges of the community according to the
royal father is the absence of a health centre. The only functioning
health centre in the community is the one he donated his building
for the care of those who need the services. He appealed to the
state government to assist them in building a befitting health centre
in the community.

leadership.ng/features/386575/imo-community-ruled-muslim-monarch

So?

wat is dis? if una like pay Peter Obi to answer Shecow, ndiigbo willl remain a christian race. In fact islam has no place in the east.

Nnewi1stSon:
Imo people are a disgrace to the whole of Igboland. In Anambra this fool would have been dethroned and butted out of the community long ago.

For crucifying Jesus Christ?

As long as he is not forcing Islam down the throats of the community he rules,I see no problem with that. Besides,the people are not complaining about it.
And for the person who said Imo people are a disgrace to Ndi Igbo,don't start an Anambra-Imo feud on this thread o!
Kpacha anya gi!

Nnewi1stSon:
Imo people are a disgrace to the whole of Igboland. In Anambra this fool would have been dethroned and butted out of the community long ago.

Your religious bigotry has crossed unhealthy proportions. I hope you realize it is like a cancer: it will blind you eventually and it will keep growing until you can't see your own nose

Shattap ewu....phool

Nnewi1stSon:
Imo people are a disgrace to the whole of Igboland. In Anambra this fool would have been dethroned and butted out of the community long ago.

christians are the most bigoted intorelable bunch of hypocrites that exist, what is wrong if a community leader converts to Islam? are other communities ruled by christians better than Umuoffor.
Am an atheist but I would rather convert to Islam than practise modern day pentecostal madness.

the guy high on zobo cursing imo,lemme do asif i neva heard u

The writer of this article has an ulterior motive beyond his sensational headline.

To summarise the real story, Eze Abdul Gafar Ihunanze Duru Emetumah is an Igbo son of the soil who embraced Islamic religion by choice or rather followed his father to convert, he succeeded his deceased father after his death as the traditional ruler of Umuafor.

He has never experienced discrimination or challenge by virtue of his religion

He is the incumbent traditional ruler of Umuofor community previously under Awa autonomous community.

BuddahMonk:
Nobi you yoloba people are cloning account to cause igbo fight here?


And to you stvpid monarch the day a bomb will xplode in any part of igboland you will see how your household will be roasted.

Keep living in your islamic wonderland, one day shall be one day

In 1999 Emmanuel Okereke was overwhelmingly elected as councillor
of Sarkin Zamfara A ward in Sokoto South LG defeating the son of an
Immam of the area. So what are we saying ?
learn the art of tolerance my brother!

He looks gay in that pink agbada.

...

But this monarch can still marry many wives if he wishes converting to Islam does not gave him a special right to marry more wives i know this is why he convert to Islam, by the way how much did he collect from APC Islamic fanatics during his inauguration ?

But there are mosques in alaigbo na?

My space

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ak47mann:
But this monarch can still marry many wives if he wishes converting to Islam does not gave him a special right to marry more wives i know this is why he convert to Islam, by the way how much did he collect from APC Islamic fanatics during his inauguration ?

senseless comment! You care to explain what you just wrote?

berem:
senseless comment! You care to explain what you just wrote?

What else do you want me to explain to you berem? Nne nata nata ebea ina eje joro njo oburu na ichoro ka ihe oma bata be gi

ak47mann:
What else do you want me to explain to you berem? [s] Nne nata nata ebea ina eje joro njo oburu na ichoro ka ihe oma bata be gi [/s]

still not making sense!

Dibiachukwu:

The bolded is the funniest line I have read for some days. Lol . Eze Abdullah .

Nothing funny, it's the trend with religious conversion.

What of those who changed from Eze Nwajiofor to Eze Nwachinaemere?

berem:
still not making sense!

The monarch look like a clown mixing igbo tradition with Islam is a taboo in the land,he can still marry more wives if he chooses converting to Mohammed will not do the trick for him though me and you knows the motive behind it (EGO,OWO)one day Chukwu abiama will strike him and rochas down for bringing a foreign arab god in igboland

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