Muslims advised to be advocates of social justice

An Islamic scholar, Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, has reminded Muslim faithful of what Islam stands for.

He said the religion has made its adherents to be conscious of the need to be engaged in social advocacy.

He spoke as a guest lecturer at the 20th Ramadan Lecture, with the theme: “Muslims And Social Advocacy.” It was organized  by the Ola-Oluwa Muslim Society of Nigeria in honour of Alhaji Abdul-Rasheed Adio Oladele Olagunju at the Wings Schools Central Mosque, Iwo, Osun State.

Abdul-Hameed, who described advocacy as a political process by an individual or group aiming to influence decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions, enjoined Muslims to be advocates of social justice.

He also advised Muslims to question the way policies are administered and participate in agenda-setting with the aim of making political systems meet people’s needs.

The Islamic scholar, who is former Dean, School of Engineering Technology, and Imam of The Muslim Community, the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, urged Muslims to call for transparency and accountability in governance, evaluates government performance, agitate for justice and fair dealings.

He said: “My aim in this discourse is to inspire and stimulate everyone towards the development of the right attitude towards social advocacy in our society. And I want to, most sincerely, congratulate the organizers of this program for deeming it fit to discuss the topic ‘Muslims and Social Advocacy’ at this material time when we must all be advocates towards salvaging our dear country, Nigeria, from moral, economic, social, political and educational degenerations and disintegrations we are currently witnessing. May Allah continue to bestow His abundant mercy on us. Amin.

“Muslims have been severally instructed in the Qur’an and Sunnah (Practice of Prophet Muhammad) to be in the forefront of seeking and implementing social justice in all facets of life. The Holy Our’an (Q3: 110) succinctly put it:

“Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing In Allah. If only the people of the Book had Faith, it would have been best for them: among them are some who have Faith, but Most of them are perverted transgressors.

“Islamic value system is central in the context of good governance, accountability and transparency.

Since Nigeria attained nationhood on October 1, 1960, one of the major issues of concern has been on how to ensure a system that is fair, open, accessible and accountable to the people.  Up till now, the battle is still on.

“Many people holding public trust in Nigeria flagrantly divert public funds for personal use. Where there is no equal treatment, equal opportunities, justice and fair hearing, certainly there would emerge corruption.

“Corruption is one of the manifestations of absence of transparent rule. The most obvious consequence of corruption is the undermining of the development process.