Ansar Ud Deen - Influence in Yoruba Land

Influence in Yoruba Land

The success of the society's educational programs and its championing of Islamic reform in Nigeria caught the attention of many Yoruba leaders and communal associations. Egbe's or professional associations of Muslims in a few towns like Ofa worked with the society in the establishment of primary schools. These projects were usually started as a result of a members' knowledge of the activities of the society in Lagos and brought the society's activities to the knowledge of other professional associates. In Ibadan, the society grew through the effort of Baale Alesinloye who introduced and brought the society to Ibadan. Originally, the society faced stiff opposition from the Ibadan Central Mosque authorities, but with the establishment of a school in 1951, the acceptance of the society grew. By then it had a notable member in the person of Humani Alaga, a prominent market women leader. Many associations, such as the Young Nawair Ud Deen which sprang from the Muslim community in Abeokuta, later toed along the lines of the Ansar Ud Deen in its policy of educational expansion.