Ileya in the Southwest of Nigeria – Reno Omokri

One of the things I cherish most about Muslims in the Southwest of Nigeria is their behaviour during Sallah. Yoruba Muslims don’t even call it Sallah, or Eid al Kabir. They coined their own word for the celebration. They refer to it as Ileya, which is short for Ile ti ya, loosely meaning it is time to go home, or the house is ready. And no people, nation? or ethnicity on planet Earth knows how to party like Yorubas.

If you lived in the Southwest or Kwara, you must love Ileya, whether or not you are a Muslim. Because your Muslim neighbours will spoil you with all kinds of goodies, from stewed ram to iyan and delicious soup, with chin-chin and other delicacies, washed down with every delectable non-alcoholic beverage known to man. Oh, the days! You will never find more tolerant and accommodating Muslims ANYWHERE on Earth as you would in Nigeria’s Southwest. And on this Eid al-Adha, I wish Muslims worldwide a prosperous and peaceful celebration.

Just as God blessed prophet Ibrahim for his willingness to sacrifice his son, Isḥāq (Isiaka, Isyaku), may God bless all Muslims for their willingness to live in peace and harmony with people of different faiths around the world. And to people of all religions globally, I urge you to visit the Southwest of Nigeria to learn the true meaning of peaceful religious coexistence.

Eid Mubarak!