By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Sheikh Moshood Jibreel Ramadan Al-Ketuwy, a prominent Nigerian Islamic scholar and preacher, has expressed his willingness to seek forgiveness from the family of his late teacher and mentor, Sheikh Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory, while also offering to forgive them for any offence they may have committed against him.
The statement, contained in a video circulating on social media, has raised hopes among some Muslim scholars, former students of Markaz Agege and other concerned members of the Muslim community that a possible reconciliation could emerge between the cleric and the family of his late mentor.
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In the video, Al-Ketuwy, popularly known as Sheikh Al-Ketuwy or Baba Al-Ketuwy, said he was ready to seek forgiveness from Sheikh Adam’s children if they identified any offence he had committed against them, adding that he was equally prepared to forgive them for any wrong they might have done to him.
“If the children of Sheikh Adam Al-Ilory tell me whatever I have offended them, I will seek forgiveness, and I will also forgive them in the area they have offended me as well for the sake of Sheikh Adam,” Al-Ketuwy said.
The reported appeal has attracted attention among Muslims, particularly in southwestern and north-central Nigeria, where Sheikh Adam’s educational and religious legacy continues to command considerable respect. For some observers, Al-Ketuwy’s willingness to seek and grant forgiveness represents an opportunity to address outstanding grievances through dialogue, humility and mutual understanding.
Sheikh Adam Al-Ilory, who died in 1992, was an influential Islamic scholar, author and educationist who founded the Arabic and Islamic Training Centre, popularly known as Markaz, in Abeokuta before relocating it to Agege, Lagos, in 1955.
The institution subsequently became an important centre for Arabic and Islamic education, producing generations of scholars and religious teachers across Nigeria and beyond.
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Following his father’s death, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullah El-Ilory, widely known as Sheikh Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory, assumed leadership of Markaz. He is the Mudirul Markaz and founder and proprietor of Markaz University College, an institution affiliated with the University of Ilorin. His leadership continues the educational legacy established by his father.
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Some scholars and Markaz graduates are looking forward to a response from Sheikh Habibullah concerning the viral video and Al-Ketuwy’s appeal for reconciliation. Given his position as head of Markaz and a member of Sheikh Adam’s family, a statement from him could help clarify the family’s position and indicate whether there is an opportunity for further engagement.
However, The Merit Newspaper had not independently confirmed any official response from Sheikh Habibullah or an authorised representative of the family at the time of filing this report.
Although differences between Al-Ketuwy and members of Sheikh Adam’s family have reportedly persisted over the years, the specific causes and circumstances of the alleged disagreement remain unverified. Neither the family’s position nor the prospect of a formal reconciliation should be presumed without statements from the parties concerned.
Some members of the wider Markaz community hope that the development will create room for constructive engagement and an amicable resolution of any outstanding grievances. They believe that reconciliation between respected figures associated with the institution could strengthen relationships among scholars, former students and the wider Muslim community.
The Merit Newspaper will continue to monitor the development and seek comments from Sheikh Al-Ketuwy, Sheikh Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory and other relevant parties as further information becomes available.
