Intrigues and Twist in the Imamate Crisis of Lagos Central Mosque (Jama’atul Muslimeen Council), 1841 to 1947

Abstract

The period between 1847 to 1947 was a chequered one in the history of Islam and especially the Imamate in Lagos. After establishing the Imamate, the Lagos Muslim community found the traditional authority as a pillar of support and much later the colonial authority. The crisis, that bedevilled the community from one time and the other, created schism that permanently divided the community into two factions. In a bid to outwit each other, it was exigent for different factions to find support and align with both the traditional and colonial authorities. This paper explored the causes, course and the negative impacts of the crisis on Lagos Muslim community. It also argued that the positive fallout of the crisis is the peaceful succession process to the exalted position of the Chief Imam which Lagos Muslim Community enjoys till today.

Key words: Imamate, Crisis, Chief Imam, Traditional Authority, Colonial Authority,