The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ansar-ud-deen

  • Ansar-Ud-Deen honours 62 members

    Ansar-Ud-Deen honours 62 members

    The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADSN), Lagos State Council, has honoured 62 members of the society for their outstanding contribution to the group.

    The awardees include Alhaji Abdul Rafiu Sanni; Air Vice Marshal Sikiru Smith; Oba AbdulMoroof Oluwa; Alhaji Kamorudeen Salami; Alhaji Tajudeen Babalola; Dr Musiliudeen Salami; Alhaja Airat Oni; Alhaja Abiola Ailara and Alhaja Munirat Ogunjimi.

    Chairman of the ADSN Lagos Council, Alhaji Abdurahman Salaudeen, said the award was in recognition of the awardee’s outstanding contributions and selfless service to society, Islam and the nation.

    According to him, the ceremony marks a special occasion to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of our awardees and applaud their contributions.

    He said: “Each awardee should be proud of their accomplishment and the impacts they have made in society and the world around them. Your passion, dedication and unwavering commitment to society are an inspiration to us all and what we hope to replicate in all that we do in your respective endeavours.”

    He noted that the financial obligations and commitment of the council are made possible through unwavering support of the gathering and urged people to donate generously.

    Read Also: Sallah: Ansar-Ud-Deen urges Tinubu to work on food sufficiency

    “Lagos State Council of the society often utilizes the proceeds realised from the occasion such as this to execute its obligations. I must bring your attention to the fact that propagation of Islam requires huge amount of money to maintain and sustain and I believe it is the responsibility of all Muslim ummah to venture into spreading the gospel and tentacle of Islam,” he said.

    An awardee, former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, appreciated the society for finding him worthy of the honour.

     “The award is recognition of the contribution that I have made towards the society. Since 2007, when I was brought to a committee by the former National President of the society, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, I never left the society. I have been involved in different capacities, including the return of schools held by Lagos State Government. I have served on Ansar-ud-deen school board, as Chairman Triennial Committee and also contributed at the national level.

     “I intended to set up a foundation in the name of my parent for Summit University to cater for the less privileged students and do much more. I’m very happy to work for the society and Islam and I believe that today’s award is in recognition of my contribution.”

  • Ansar-ud-deen offers prayers for national security

    Ansar-ud-deen offers prayers for national security

    The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria has offered fervent prayers for the success of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other leaders at various levels of government in the country.

    The society beseeched God to continuously shower His blessings and mercies upon the country and her leaders in their individual and collective efforts to build a virile economy, ensure national security and promote peaceful cohabitation.

    This is even as the Society emphasized the need for the citizens to renew their faith in God, inculcate the culture of prayer in all they do and refrain from cursing their leaders and nation, noting that prayers remain the only panacea to some of the identified shortcomings bedeviling the country.

    The Chief Imam of Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Abuja branch, Dr. Musa Olaofe, attributed some of the challenges confronting the nation to citizens’ attitude to prayer, hence, the need for all and sundry to rise to the occasion and prioritise prayers, while working hard in the quest to promote peaceful coexistence, economic growth and progress of the country.

    Read Also: Ramadan: Ansar-ud-Deen Society donates to widows, needy

    Dr. Olaofe explained that the idea behind the special Jummat prayer session for the country stemmed from a desire to contribute to the nation’s progress and development, while also seeking divine wisdom and guidance for its leaders.

    “Today is a special day to pray for Nigeria being the last Friday of Ramadan. That is why we organised a special prayer for this country. To us, that is the only thing we can give to Nigeria as a way to seek God’s face and beseech Him to bestow our leaders across levels of government divine wisdom, knowledge and understanding to lead our country to the path of growth, progress and prosperity.

    “As believers, we are not perturbed over the current situation because we believe strongly in Allah and we know that in no distance time, Nigeria will overcome the predicaments, that is why we have once again come before Him to seek His face in order to continuously guide our leaders aright and strengthen them in their collective and individual efforts to build a nation of our dream.

  • Ansar-ud-Deen empowers 100 with N10m

    Ansar-ud-Deen empowers 100 with N10m

    • Builds house for missioners

    Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADSN), Lagos State Council, has empowered 100 members with N10 million.

    The society also opened a nine-flat apartment with modern facilities for its missioners.

    Some outstanding members were honoured with awards.

    The three-in-one event held on Sunday was part of activities marking Ansar-Ud-Deen’s 100 years anniversary.

    ADSN President Aare AbdulRafiu Sanni said the gestures were carefully initiated to improve the lives of the beneficiaries.

    “We are grateful to God for allowing the existence of this society up to this moment and to show gratitude to Allah, we decided to empower 100 people with N10 million,” he said.

    Aare Sanni emphasised that Islam enjoined giving charity to the less privileged and it is crucial to help the needy at a time when the cost of living is extremely on the high side.

    “We all know the situation of this country today, especially with the removal of petrol subsidy, things have been extremely difficult for people and we believe that it is our responsibility as a religious organisation to assist our not-to-lucky members.

    “I must commend the Lagos State Government, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the palliative given to the society. We were able to distribute the little that was given. But the fact remains that it is too little and a little bit too late. Ansar-Ud-Deen’s strength in Lagos state alone is close to a million and we are given just 40 bags of rice, though it shows the good intentions of the government. We believe that the best way to go about ensuring this sort of palliative gets to the right people is to do it through religious organisations both Muslim and Christian. We know these people, they are our members, we know their problems and we are very close to them, we can identify them easily,” he added.

    Read Also: Ansar-ud-Deen cleans streets for healthy environment

    According to him, provision of shelters for the missioners is to make life comfortable for them, adding “the missioners are the ones teaching us the words of the Quran, the purpose of creation and how best to serve Allah well. We believe strongly that we must make them comfortable in terms of their remuneration, accommodation and peace of mind. It is incumbent on us to ensure that we give them all the best to meet their life aspiration and that is why we have built this mission house for their comfort.”

    ADSN Lagos State Council Chairman Alhaji AbdulRahman Salaudeen, said the empowerment and award presentation were to appreciate those who have helped moving the society forward.

    Alhaji Salaudeen government should channel its empowerment activities through religious organisations.

    Empowering the masses, he said, shouldn’t be through political patronage.

    He explained that the religious groups know those who actually in need and how to easily reach out to them.

    He said the mission would ensure their clerics prepared their sermon in a conducive atmosphere.

    “In Nigeria today, we lack spiritual awareness. People go to mosques and churches and they are not spiritually inclined and that is why we see so many vices in society. If you are spiritually inclined, you will be morally sound and so, we decided to shelter our missioners to live comfortably and take charge of the spiritual life of members,” he said.

    He encouraged the missioners to make good use of the facility and enjoined beneficiaries of the empowerment to reciprocate the gesture by ensuring the money is judiciously used.

  • Ansar-Ud-Deen holds National Conference

    Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria yesterday commenced its 9th National Triennial Conference in Abuja.

    A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the Society, Alhaji Rahmon Salaudeen, said the conference, themed, Justice, Equity and Peaceful Co-existence: Ideals and Realities in a Multi-Religious Nigeria, the Five-day event will hold at the International Conference Centre

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III and Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi will lead dignitaries from within and outside the country.

    The conference, the organisers said, would feature visitations to the Presidency, the Sultan of Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister.

    The conference will also feature Merit Awards and election of new officers who would pilot the affairs of the society at the National level.

     

  • UNILAG don urges Ansar-Ud-Deen on political inclusiveness

    The Chairman of University of Lagos (UNILAG) Muslim Community, Prof. Lai Olurode has called on the members of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADSN) to engage with political parties and seek inclusiveness in the national polity.

    He stated this during the ADSN Lagos State Council 40th Anniversary in Ikorodu.

    Prof. Olurode, the UNILAG Department of Sociology, senior lecturer said Ansar-Ud-Deen has to adequately engage the state.

    “You must work on spreading membership to achieve the best for the organisation. By now, there has to be a sincere action plan on seeking inclusiveness,” he said.

    He stressed that the society should work on more visibility for the women folk in the organisation.

    “More policies that will make women more visible in our engagement with the stakeholders in our national polity should be enhanced. Women are very influential in driving the mission of any organisation,” he said.

    The Deputy-Governor of Lagos State, Dr Idiat Adebule, urged Ansar-Ud-Deen to continue with operations that will address the modern realities and engender sustainable society.

    Represented by Alhaji Abdukrazak Adetola, Mrs Adebule enjoined the leadership of the organisation to intensify efforts on programmes that will ensure peaceful coexistence of adherents of various faiths.

    She assured that the government would continue to provide the enabling environment and make policies that will address religious disharmony.

  • Ansar-Ud-Deen celebrates at 15

    Members of Ansar-Ud-Deen society of Nigeria Akoka, Lagos branch will today visit Modupe Cole Memorial Home for donation of items as part of activities marking the 15th anniversary of the group.

    Chairman of the Planning Committee, Alhaji Bashir Lawal, told reporters there would be a special Jumat service/ special prayer for the society as well as thanksgiving on Friday in celebration of the anniversary.

    Enumerating some of the laudable achievements of the society, Lawal said it has been able to contribute through sponsorship of deserving members to Hajj annually, construction and commissioning of ultra-modern mosque as well as feeding of indigent during annual Ramadan period.

    He said pointed at scholarship awards to indigent students as well as organisation of health walk as other laudable programmes of the society.

    The 2nd biennial inter house sports competition of  Ansar-Ud-Deen Nursery and Primary School, Akoka, Lagos as well as novelty match among youths holds at UNILAG Sports Complex next Saturday by 9am.

    The 15th anniversary/ merit award holds next Sunday by 10am.

     

  • Mosque attack: Fayose’s silence ‘unjust,’ says Ansar-Ud-Deen

    Mosque attack: Fayose’s silence ‘unjust,’ says Ansar-Ud-Deen

    Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS) yesterday expressed reservation over the silence of Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose over the attack of Muslims in a mosque during Iftar (Breaking of fast).

    ADS National Missioner Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad addressed reporters  yesterday at Ajao, Surulere National Secretariat.

    He said “Whoever keeps silence in the face of injustice is himself unjust.”

    No fewer than five Muslims were injured and properties damaged when some masqueraders attacked the Ansar-ud-Deen Society’s mosque at Ikun-Ekiti last Tuesday.

    Sheikh Ahmad, who explained that the matter has been reported to the governor through his religious adviser, said the society was “uncomfortable with this kind of silence.

    “As an Islamic organisation, we would have condemned this kind of attack on any other person or organisations, even Christians. Whoever keeps silence in the face of injustice is himself unjust.

    “He (the Governor) would be in the best position to explain his silence. Given the antecedents of the Governor of Ekiti State, the society trusts that he will make a statement very soon. We are sure that he will not disappoint us.”

    The matter, he said, has also been reported to Inspector-General of Police (IGP) through the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the zone.

    He warned that the matter should not be swept under the carpet because it could lead to anarchy.

    While condemning the attack, the Islamic scholar wondered why Muslims would be denied their freedom of movement and religion.

    He demanded that the perpetrators of the act be arrested and tried in accordance with the law.

    He said: “It is painful that somebody can be attacked for professing a particular religion. We have it that the town’s monarch decreed that during the Egungun festival, Muslims should not go to mosque and must not make call to prayer. This is against the constitution which guarantees freedom of religion and movement. The monarch’s decree infringed upon the fundamental human rights of the Muslims. It is draconian and unheard of at a time the faithful were supposed to be called for prayer and break their fast

    “We even complied substantially by asking the females to pray at home. They still attacked us at a point where we were breaking our fast and laid siege on us for over five hours.

    “They broke the door, broke the window, vandalised things in the mosque, attacked the worshippers, macheted our Imam with cutlass, and also destroyed his car. This is worrisome to us that some people will be punished because of their religion. The monarch who ordered the attack should not be superior to the law. Should the monarch’s go unpunished, it could snowball into a national crisis.

    “The Muslims in Ikun-Ekiti are being persecuted. They are not settlers, they are indigenes who speak same language with the masqueraders. Some are even relatives. Even if they are non-indigenes, the law does not permit indigenes to attack them.

    “Ansar-Ud-Deen has a long history in the state and have always been peaceful. The branch was inaugurated since 1950. There must be proper investigation. If this goes without adequate investigation and prosecution of those who perpetuated this dastardly act, it will be great injustice.”

    Ahmad, who noted that other Islamic organisations have intervened, challenged Ekiti State Government to show its concern for citizen’s protection by not shielding the perpetrators.

    “Government must intervene, prosecute the perpetrators and help recover the losses. The government must prove that it is up to its responsibility of protecting citizens. Whoever has done this deserved to be punished. We are punished because we adhered to the law; if government does not intervene, it means that it is the government that punished us.

    “Top Islamic organisations like the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) among others are involved already. It is not possible for a thing like this to happen without litigation if the aggressors show no convincing remorse.”

  • Ansar-Ud-Deen holds seminar for principal officers

    Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS) has held a seminar for its principal officers.
    At the two-day event held at ADS Mosque in Isolo, Lagos, a guest speaker, Prof. Tajudeen Gbadamosi, urged clerics to leverage on the resources of Information Technology (IT) to deepen the propagation of Islam.
    He said conversance with technological development, such as Internet, social media, television programmes, news feeds, e-libraries among others was crucial to enriching their scope of knowledge and reaching the enlightened congregation.
    “The missioners should also ensure there are organised classes for the congregation where they can learn more about the Qur’an and basic Islamic rulings as they affect them. As the missioner teaches, he should also lead by example. He should not preach one thing and then do another. He should be a model because scholars are the inheritors of the Prophet. We will no doubt recall that many people in Makkah and Madina converted to Islam because of the Prophet’s good character and simple approach. Nowadays, there is a worrying tendency among some Muslim scholars; the tendency to live flamboyant lives. Clerics should neither be extravagant nor worldly. Modesty should be their watchword and desire for luxury should be checked.”
    Justice Gabziu Ademola Bakre (retd), who delivered a keynote address on the New Strategic Direction for the society, said renewed efforts must be geared towards elevating its core objectives, including propagation, education, health and religion.
    He said, the current wave of propagation was inadequate, adding: “The attempt to propagate Islam by Ansar-Ud-Deen Society should now go further and convert more to the way of the society. This can be done by some innovations. Islam is guided by the Quran. The society has to create more areas to source funds other than subscription and occasional bazaar sales. I suggest that Ansar-Ud-Deen should pursue both western and oriental education with the same zeal.”
    ADS Lagos State Council Chairman Alhaji Nurudeen Okuleye said the seminar was aimed at sensitising members and principal officers to their responsibilities, the need to improve the quality and timelines of service in the course of discharging their duties.
    “The fact remains that this world is becoming a global village such that training and retraining should be in place to provide required skills to keep oneself updated with the fast changing world. We want to ensure increase and development in the efficiency of our officers,” he said.

  • Ansar-Ud-Deen graduates pupils

    Ansar-Ud-Deen graduates pupils

    Ansar- Ud-Deen Girls’ High School in Itire, Lagos has graduated 23 pupils in the 2014/2015 academic session.

    Speaking during the valedictory/prize-giving day, the Principal Alhaja Risikat Yussuf, congratulated the graduands, praising them for their contributions in the development of the school and their dedication to studies.

    She described them as a set, which laid a good example and demonstrated strong commitment to community service and charity.

    Yussuf urged them to make the school proud and follow the footsteps of the past pupils of the school. She counselled them to be bold, creative, collaborative, ingenious, passionate and treat others honourably and respectfully.

    An alumnus of the school and Justice of Ogun State High Court, Justice Ayooluwa Babawale, urged outgoing pupils to always remember the virtues they were taught. She told them to be hard working and aspire to make their mark in life.

    In a lecture titled: ‘The role of Muslim youths in nation development’, a lecturer in the Department of Languages, Lagos State University (LASU) Dr Kadijah Olaniyan told graduands to take advantage of their youth, health, riches, time and life. She said the youthful stage is the best gift and the best time of life which requires people to be responsible for their actions and inactions.

    “To be a part of the national development process, you have to seek knowledge, preserve your faith, ensure healthy friendship and make a list of what you want to achieve in life,” she said.

    “Learn a craft, be focused and consistent, keep your chastity, honour your Hijab, do not compromise your faith.

    “Create and join a worthy cause in your community, choose good role models, reduce the time you spend on social media and television, abide by the rule of law, be the best in whatever you do  and mentor someone,” she added.

  • President’s wife, daughters pray at Ansar-ud-deen Mosque

    President’s wife, daughters pray at Ansar-ud-deen Mosque

    The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, and her three daughters yesterday observed the Eid el-Fitr prayers at the Ansar-Ud-Deen Mosque in Abuja.

    She was received at the mosque by Alhaja Saudat Dudayemi, the Chairperson, Ansar-ud-Deed Society of Nigeria (ADSN), FCT Chapter, the wife of the FCT Chairman of the association, Alhaja Risikat Yusuf, and other officials.

    Others who joined her in the prayer session were the APC Woman Leader, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, and Dr Hajo Sani, the Senior Special Assistant (Administration), to the wife of the President, among others.

    Delivering his sermon, the Chief Imam of the mosque, Alhaji Musa Olaofe, urged Muslims to pray for peace and unity of the country.

    He appealed to Nigerians to support Buhari’s administration to ensure the achievement of all the set goals.

    The Imam advised Muslims to give out Zakat-ul-Fitr to the poor and the needy, so that they would have a sense of belonging.

    Also speaking, the FCT Chairman of the society, Alhaji Yusuf Adebayo, informed the audience that the National Universities Commission had granted the association licence to establish the Summit University.

    Adebayo, however, said  the society was now faced with the challenge of raising N5 billion required to fully establish the institution.

    “The licence is part of the fulfilment of our objective  which is to promote education among Muslim youths.’’

    He urged Muslims to continue to maintain the spirit of Ramadan and lessons learnt from it as stated in the Holy Quran.