and humanitarian. He is best known for saving the lives of 262 non-Muslim during an attack on his community by bandits.[1][2][3]
Imam Abdullahi Abubakar Chief Imam | |
|---|---|
| Chief Imam | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 January 1936 Bauchi |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Residence(s) | Nghar, Barkin Ladi LGA |
Early life
editIman Abdullahi Abubakar was born in 1936 in Bauchi, Bauchi state, Nigeria.[4]
Background
editImam Abubakar is the Chief Imam of Akwatti Mosque in Nghar, a community in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State. In 2018, there was an attack on Yelwan Gindi Akwati, Swei and Nghar villages where 80 persons were killed by suspected bandits.[5][6]
The Imam was able to save the lives of 262 people who are majorly Christians from the Birom tribe by hiding them in his mosque thereby preventing the marauding attackers from killing them.[5]
In July 2019, Imam Abdullahi Abubakar received the International Religious Freedom Award from the US Government, which is granted to supporters of religious freedom, together with four other religious leaders from Sudan, Iraq, Brazil, and Cyprus.[7][6]
In August 2019, President Buhari authorized the inclusion of Imam Abdullahi Abubakar in the membership of the national Ulama committee and was part of an 80-man Ulama committee charged with the responsibility of educating Nigerian pilgrims in Mina during the 2019 Hajj.
Awards
edit- US International Religious Freedom Award (2019)[5]
- Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR)
- Award of Excellence [7]
References
edit- ^ "Abdullahi Abubakar: Befitting honour to a prophet at home". TheCable. 2022-10-12. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ "Nigeria: How Village Imam, Abubakar, Put His Life on The Line to Save Others In Barkin Ladi Attacks | The MacMillan Center Religious Freedom and Society in Africa". religiousfreedom.yale.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ "America honour Nigeria imam wey save Christians from killer 'herdsmen'". BBC News Pidgin. 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ Egbas, Jude (2019-08-09). "Muslim who saved 262 Christians from killer herdsmen explains why". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ a b c Okogba, Emmanuel (2019-07-26). "A deserved honour for Imam Abdullahi". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ a b "Muslim cleric who hid Christians during attacks honored in the US". CNN. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ a b "CAN honours Plateau Imam who saved Christians from attacks | Dailytrust". dailytrust.com. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 2022-10-21.