As-Sujood Mosque, the newly built ultra-modern mosque of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, will be formally commissioned on Friday, 2nd September 2022.
The ceremony will be held at the mosque’s premises within the Main Campus of the University, Ago-Iwoye. Members of the University Muslim Community, including the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde, other Principal Officers and eminent personalities, among others, are expected to grace the event.
The immediate past Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Mrs. Mosunmola Belo-Olusoga, donated the 1,200-capacity mosque to the University Muslim Community.
Belo-Olusoga, according to information made available by the Chairman, OOU Muslim Community, Prof. Lasun Gbadamosi, will commission the mosque, whose construction commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, 30th July 2021.
Ahead of the commissioning, the Vice-Chancellor commended Mrs. Belo-Olusoga for her enduring donation and prayed to God to reward her. He also lauded her commitment, dedication and exemplary leadership while she served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council of the University.
While describing the mosque as “a touch of elegance,” Prof. Gbadamosi appreciated the immediate past Pro-Chancellor for donating the befitting place of worship. He said members of the University Muslim Community were quite excited about the new mosque. He prayed to God to reward the donor abundantly. “The building of a mosque affords a person to continue to earn the blessings of Almighty Allah, even after death,” he stated.
Gbadamosi added, “The design of the new mosque is one of the best in this sub-Saharan Africa. The University Muslim Community is very happy with Alhaja Mosun Belo-Olusoga, our former Pro-Chancellor, for building this mosque and we also appreciate our Vice-Chancellor for facilitating it.”
On plans for the new mosque, the OOU Muslim Community Chairman disclosed that the place would be solely used for Friday congregational prayers.
“The new mosque is a touch of elegance and we want to ensuse adequate maintenance. We plan to use it for Jumah service on Friday alone. For the daily prayers, we will be using the nearby smaller mosque,” he said.
Gbadamosi urged members of the Muslim Community and well-meaning adherents elsewhere to emulate Mrs Belo-Olusoga in generous spending to the cause of Allah, saying “we should contribute towards the emancipation of the Islamic religion and helping people to worship the Almighty Allah.”
Speaking about the unique features of the mosque, the Project Supervisor, Arc. Supo Jagun, said it was equipped with all the necessary facilities to enhance worshipping and sundry spiritual activities. He explained that the shape and architectural design of the mosque was a replica of Sujood (prostration) in Islamic prayers.
Jagun said, “The mosque was designed in response to what the sponsor had said she wanted. She said she was donating the building to thank Allah for His mercy on her and she wanted it to be a symbol of beauty. Something that is simple and striking.
“One of the most significant prayer positions in Islam is the Sujood position – when you are prostrating and your head is on the floor. So, if the thinking is that the sponsor wants to use the mosque to thank Allah, what other better way than Sujood?”
“So, if you look at the arc of the roof, it follows the same act of someone in Sujood position. So, that’s the main thing and we now built every other thing around that. One of the things she wanted is a place that is very encouraging and that would inspire Muslims.”
The architect also stated that although the mosque has an internal capacity of 1,200 congregants, it “could be further expanded if people pray in the corridors.”
Jagun pointed out that the mosque was built in such a way to allow visual communication with the Imam for every member of the congregation inside the mosque. He added that modern Islamic calligraphy was used to embellish the exterior of the building and make it a beautiful sight to behold.
He said, “For the Muslim, the Kalima and the five pillars of Islam are the strong elements of our faith and we brought that and used calligraphy to embellish the building on the outside. These were done in a different way to what is usually seen around.
“Apart from the main mosque, there is the ablution centre built with modern design and equipped with all required convenience.
“Also, there is a basic conception plan for any expansion that wants to be done to take it from just being a mosque to a full Islamic centre. In case anybody in the University wants to contribute to that, there is a basic concept in place that can be developed further.’’
