Thousands Join Salatul Ga’ib for Dantata in Kano Amid Madinah Burial Delays

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Thousands of mourners gathered on Saturday in Kano to observe Salatul Gha’ib —the funeral prayer in absentia — for Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, the respected Nigerian business mogul and philanthropist who passed away in Dubai at the age of 94.

The prayer session took place at Umar Bin Khattab Mosque in Kano metropolis and was led by Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, Chairman of the Kano State Council of Ulamas. The gathering drew a cross-section of dignitaries, religious scholars, and ordinary citizens, united in grief and reverence for the late elder statesman.

Among those in attendance was the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who joined other notable figures in paying last respects to the patriarch of the Dantata dynasty.

Speaking after the prayers, Sheikh Khalil explained that Salatul Gha’ib is performed when a Muslim passes away in a location where traditional funeral rites cannot be immediately observed. He described Alhaji Dantata as “a devout Muslim, a benefactor of the Ummah, and a man who combined faith with generosity.”

According to family sources, arrangements are underway to bury Alhaji Dantata in the holy city of Madinah, beside his late wife, Hajiya Rabi’a Aminu Dantata, who died in 2023. This, they said, was in line with the deceased’s lifelong wish to be laid to rest in the sacred city of the Prophet (pbuh).

However, the burial process has faced delays due to administrative constraints in Saudi Arabia.

Mustapha Abdullahi Junaidu, the late Dantata’s Principal Private Secretary, disclosed that the Saudi weekend (Saturday being a non-working day) has slowed down efforts to complete documentation and obtain the necessary approvals.

“He always expressed his desire to be buried in Madinah. We are working diligently to fulfil that wish,” Junaidu stated. “But the Saudi offices are closed over the weekend, so that has stalled the process. The Nigerian Federal Government is assisting, and we hope things will move quickly once offices reopen.”

Junaidu also noted that if clearance from Saudi authorities is not secured within a reasonable time, the family might bring the remains back to Kano for burial, in accordance with Islamic injunctions that emphasise prompt burial.

“If we are unable to finalise arrangements soon, then we will have no choice but to proceed with burial here in Kano,” he added. “We are exploring all options to ensure his wishes are respected while also remaining within the boundaries of Islamic guidance.”

Alhaji Aminu Dantata was a towering figure in Nigerian commerce and philanthropy. He expanded his family’s legacy into a vast business empire spanning construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, and finance. A key supporter of Islamic finance, he played a pioneering role in the establishment of Jaiz Bank, Nigeria’s first non-interest financial institution.

His philanthropic contributions touched countless lives, with significant investments in education, healthcare, mosque construction, and community welfare across Northern Nigeria.

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