The Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Shaykh Miftaudeen Ayanbadejo, has defended a controversial directive restricting men with plaited hair and earrings from attending congregational prayers, insisting that the move is intended to promote Islamic discipline rather than discriminate against worshippers.
The clarification followed the announcement of the new rules at the Ijebu Ode Central Mosque, Oyingbo, during Friday prayers on October 9, 2026, with the directive also raising concerns about dreadlocks, tattoos, inappropriate dressing and the use of mobile phones during religious services.
However, the Chief Imam’s office has now stressed that the announcement should not be interpreted as an order to shut the mosque’s doors against Muslims whose appearance falls short of the prescribed standards.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Dr Oyekolade Oyesanya, Head of Corporate Media and Public Communications in the office of the Chief Imam, said the measures were intended to encourage modesty, cleanliness, respect and proper conduct among worshippers.
Oyesanya explained that the directive was announced by Shaykh Abdul Wahab Oleolo, the Ẹkẹta Adiini of Ijebuland, on behalf of the Chief Imam-in-Council.
According to the statement, the mosque is a sacred place where worshippers are expected to observe standards of decency, humility and discipline.
The office cited Qur’an 7:31, which calls on believers to dress appropriately when attending places of worship, as part of the religious basis for its appeal.
It also raised concerns about men wearing earrings, certain hairstyles such as dreadlocks, the display of tattoos and dressing considered inappropriate under Islamic standards.
Mobile phone use during Friday prayers and sermons was also flagged as a distraction capable of disrupting concentration and undermining the solemnity of worship.
But the Chief Imam’s office sought to clarify that the objective was not to humiliate or alienate anyone, stressing that religious guidance should encourage people to improve their conduct rather than drive them away from the Muslim community.
“The objective is guidance, not humiliation; admonition, not alienation,” the statement said.
Oyesanya further explained that the announcement was not intended to prevent Muslims from entering the mosque or discourage them from attending congregational prayers.
Instead, worshippers were urged to dress modestly, exercise restraint, maintain cleanliness and observe the rules laid down by mosque authorities.
Those responsible for enforcing the guidance were also advised to act with wisdom, fairness and courtesy, while respecting the dignity of every individual.
The Chief Imam appealed to congregants to understand the announcement in its intended context, maintaining that the mosque must remain accessible to Muslims seeking spiritual guidance and the opportunity to worship Allah.
The clarification comes amid attention surrounding the restrictions on personal appearance and conduct at the Ijebu Ode mosque, with the Chief Imam’s office emphasising that its ultimate goal is to promote religious consciousness, mutual respect and moral discipline among worshippers.
It maintained that the mosque’s doors remain open to Muslims seeking to worship, learn and improve themselves spiritually.
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