The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has come under fire for his actions during a recent visit to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The Yoruba king faced criticism for uncovering his head while praying for peace of mind, long life, and mercy for himself.
This act drew mixed reactions from social media users, as it is customary for a Yoruba king to always cover his head, especially in public.
One of his followers, fabricsbyarinola, questioned the appropriateness of the king's action, stating, “I thought (a) king must not open their head in public?”
Another user, Acube321, accused the Iwo king of demeaning Yoruba culture, writing, “You are demeaning our culture, sir. This is too bad sir.”
However, some users defended the king's actions, citing the equality of all in the presence of Allah.
Nadee_a_kitchen_treat wrote, “Everybody is equal in the presence of Almighty Allah. Islam is beautiful. May Almighty Allah accept your worship.”
The Oluwo was also criticized for a particular prayer he made, asking that just as millions of Muslims visit Mecca in pilgrimage, people should have no rest until they visit Iwo.
This prayer sparked further criticism, with some questioning what attractions Iwo had to offer to attract visitors from around the world.
The controversy surrounding the Oluwo's actions highlights the complex intersection of culture, religion, and tradition.
