They were praying not prostrating before me – Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II

The former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II, has clears the air on the controversial picture, says ‘they were praying not prostrating before me’

Former Emir of Kano, has explained the controversial picture showing two people prostrating before him at a close range.

The Former Emir, who recently clinched the exalted Tijjaniya Caliph in Nigeria, came under social media fire over the picture.

While others condemned the acts of the two prostrating subjects, others blames the former Emir for allowing it.

But in a telephone interview with our source, the Emir said the duo prostrating was praying not greeting him.

He said the picture was taken during one of his Madaarij-us-Saalikeen lecture series, begins at 4:15pm after Asr prayer.

“I normally come out at 4:pm to lead Asr prayer, after which we start the Madaarij-us-Saalikeen lecture at 4:15pm.

“The two people in question came late to the Asr prayer and were making up for lost Raka’at. As I got up to take my seat, one of the attendees snapped the picture while they were on Sajda (prostration).

“If you look carefully, you will see the mat on which I prayed. On no occasion did I allow or encourage people to prostrate in that manner before me,” the former monarch explained.