Unknown to many, Raphael Afonja, a professor at the department of physical sciences, City University of New York, did not start practicing Islam last Thursday. He has always been, even before becoming commissioner in the administration of Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State.
Friends, who spoke with OYOINSIGHT.COM, said Afonja, born of a Christian father and a mother with Muslim background, has always been observing prayers long before now.
”If you were at his screening by the Oyo lawmakers, you will know he swore with the Quran. People were surprised. At first, they thought it was politically motivated. I may not know of any other things, I know he observes Jumah prayer when he was commissioner. Those who pray Jumah at the Fire Service mosque can bear witness.
“There was even a day that he raised his hands in the Excos chamber when they asked how many of them were Muslims. People were also surprised. So it isn’t about now. He has always been tilting towards that side,” the source added.
Only last Thursday, the social media was awash with the one minute, thirty-five seconds video of the academic pronouncing the Kalimat Shahada after the Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Sheikh Talihat Yunus Ayilara.
This was just as he adopted AbdurRahman (servant of the Most High) as his muslim name.
Another friend, who also did not want name mentioned, said that “He once told me that he finds joy listen to the adhan (call to prayer) as a young boy in Kano. On many occasions, when they were looking for him, he would be around a mosque. His mum was a muslim before his dad married her. I think Raphael just decided to do it officially so as not to put people in the dark.”
