The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muslim

  • Lent: Muslims group urges Christians to pray for peace, stability in Nigeria

    Lent: Muslims group urges Christians to pray for peace, stability in Nigeria

    Muslim Clerics and Youth Organization on Thursday felicitated with Christians on the commencement of the Lenten season and urged them to use the occasion to pray for peace and stability in the country.

    Head of the organization, Malam Gambo Abdullahi, made the appeal when he led members on a solidarity visit to Pastor Yohanna Buru, General Overseer of Christ Evangelical Intercessory Fellowship Ministry in Kaduna.

    “The Lenten period is a very special Holy season to all Christians, we as Muslims, who also fast during Ramadan, understand the significance of fasting and prayers to the Almighty God.

    “Hence, we came as a team to felicitate and wish all Christians success from the beginning of the holy month till the end”.

    He said the visit was also to encourage peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance.

    “We must be our brother keepers through appreciating and encouraging one another irrespective of our religious differences to make the country move ahead”.

    He urged Christians to pray for God’s intervention for Nigeria to overcome its security challenges.

    Read Also:  Buhari to Christians at lent:  pray for Nigeria’s unity, progres

    Gambo recalled that Christian clerics also used to felicitate with Muslims during Ramadan in a show of solidarity and oneness.

    “We also came to extend the same thing to our brothers, as we are from one family, Adam and Eve, and we all worship one God and all believe in Paradise and Hell, therefore, we all must learn to live in peace and harmony with one another.’’

    Responding, Buru appreciated the organisation for the visit, saying it would boost efforts at promoting peace and religious tolerance in the country.

    He canvassed for the inclusion of peace education in school curriculum, so as to steer the minds of the youth to goodness, brotherliness and love of one another irrespective of religious and tribal boundaries.

    NAN

     

  • Muslim women allege harassment, discrimination over hijab use

    Some Muslim women under the aegis of Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative, yesterday deplored what they called the frequent harassment of those of them who use hijab, a veil for covering the head and part of the face.

    At a briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, to mark the World Hijab Day (WHD), the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Al-Muminaat, The Criterion, Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) and Guild of Muslim Professionals (GMP), noted that some government institutions and private agencies were involved in the discriminatory act, which they described as an infringement on their rights.

    WHD is a yearly event celebrated every February 1 in over 140 countries worldwide. Its purpose is to raise awareness about modest Muslim dress and to encourage non-Muslim women to wear and experience the hijab for a day.

    The groups’ Coordinator, Hajia Mutiat Orolu-Balogun, said some women in hijab were denied jobs and other opportunities despite being qualified.

    Women in hijab, she claimed, were also forced to expose their ears and their heads before writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) or getting Bank Verification Number (BVN).

    Mrs Orolu-Balogun, a lawyer, said: “Imagine being asked to take off your shirt or your trousers because you wanted to get your driver’s licence, or being told you would not be able to vote in the next elections because you wouldn’t bare your shoulders or show your cleavage in the picture on your voter’s, card, or that you wouldn’t have access to the funds in your bank account because you refused to show your bare back in order to register for your BVN. These, and worse, are what a Muslim woman who wears the hijab feels when she is asked to take off her hijab or expose her ears before she could be allowed her constitutional rights!”

    She described hijab as a religious duty and an obligation on every Muslim woman in the observance of her faith, saying it is not the culture of Arabs or a fashion accessory that one may discard at will.

    “The right to believe in and practise one’s chosen faith is an inalienable right of every human being, as entrenched in the constitution,” she added.

    She relived what some hijab-wearing women went through in the past: “In October 2016, a Muslim woman applied for a Radiographer job at Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Oyingbo, Lagos Mainland, a government hospital and was shortlisted for an interview.

    “On the day of the interview she was told to her face; ‘why are you dressed like this? I cannot Interview you.’ by the then Chief Medical Director, who happened to head the interview panel. She waited for a while and even tried to plead, while other candidates were given the opportunity to be interviewed for the job. The security man was then called to escort her out of the premises!

    “Dear fellow Nigerians, this is a hospital owned by the government! And this is a citizen of Nigeria!”

    MSSN Lagos State Area Unit President Hajia Hafsah Badru urged the media to be objective, fair and accurate in reporting cases related to hijab use.

    According to her, asking a Muslim woman to remove her hijab is a form of violence against women, and such should have no place in a progressive society like Nigeria.

    “One thing we all seem to agree on is that violence against women is wrong in all its forms, whether it is physical, emotional or psychological.  However, covering one’s head doesn’t mean that person should be looked down upon or be underestimated. Women in hijab deserve to enjoy their constitutional rights,” Hajia Badru said.

  • Greek parliament adopts law limiting use of Sharia norms in Muslim community

    Greek parliament adopts law limiting use of Sharia norms in Muslim community

    The Greek parliament adopted on Wednesday a law limiting the use of the Sharia norms for the Muslim community in the northeastern region of Western Thrace.

    The law significantly limits the use of Sharia, which will now not be mandatory in the sphere of family issues such as marriage, divorce and testament.

    If one of the parties does not want to use the Sharia law, it may appeal to a court.

    The new legislation sets the procedure of muftis’ appointment and dismissal as well as their powers and salaries.

    The only party, which opposed the law, is the far-right Golden Dawn, which believes the Sharia law must be completely removed from the Greek judiciary system.

    Read Also: Buhari’s New Year message, a Greek gift – ADP

    “Greece is the only European country, which continues to use Sharia on such [family] issues,” Golden Dawn’s lawmaker Panagiotis Iliopoulos said at the parliament’s hearing.

    The Sharia law has been used in West Thrace in accordance with the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne signed after the Greek defeat in the Turkish War of Independence.

    In November 2017, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras vowed to remove the mandatory use of the Sharia law for the Muslim community during his trip to West Thrace.

    NAN

  • UI hosts international conference on Muslim Unity Monday

    UI hosts international conference on Muslim Unity Monday

    Scholars from all walks of life would converge University of Ibadan ( UI ) from Monday Nov. 20 to Thursday Nov. 23 to brainstorm on Muslim Unity and the quest for National Integration.

    A statement by one of the conveners of the conference, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, said the conference was being facilitated by the Islamic Welfare Foundation (IWF) in collaboration with the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan.

    Dubbed: 2017 Conference On Islam in Nigeria (COIN) the event has as its theme: “Muslim Unity and Quest for National Integration’’.

    Egbewole said the formal opening ceremony of the conference would hold on Nov. 21 at the Arts Theatre, University of Ibadan ( UI ), with the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu and Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB Registrar, in attendance.

    He said keynote addresses would be given by Prof. Muibi Opeloye of Obafemi Awolowo University ( OAU ) Ile-Ife, on “the National Integration Discourse in Nigeria: Wither the Muslim Ummah?” and Prof. Isaac Albert of University of Ibadan on “Religion and Consensus Building in Nigeria’’.

    Egbewole said four other lead papers from Prof. Afis Oladosu and Dr Folake Tasita of University of Ibadan, Prof Lakin Akintola, Lagos State University and Prof. Musa Aibinu of Federal University of Technology ( FUTH ), Minna, would be presented.

    He also said that more than 100 Abstracts  had been received from other stakeholders both within and outside the country on issues relating to the theme.

    NAN

  • PHOTOS: New VC, Prof. Ogundipe meets UNILAG Muslim community

    PHOTOS: New VC, Prof. Ogundipe meets UNILAG Muslim community

    The new Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos ( UNILAG ), Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe meets with Muslim community, Prof.  M A Badmus standing for prayer session at the reception held at the central mosque  Islamic  Center Hall during a courtesy visit of the VC to the Muslim community on Friday.

    UNILAG VC, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe (second left), UNILAG Muslim Community Chairman, Prof. Lai Olurode, Bursar, Mr. Nurudeen Lawal and the Chief Imam, Central Mosque, Prof. M A Badmus
    UNILAG VC, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe (second left), UNILAG Muslim Community Chairman, Prof. Lai Olurode, Bursar, Mr. Nurudeen Lawal and the Chief Imam, Central Mosque, Prof. M A Badmus
    Unilag new VC
    UNILAG VC, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe (second left), Muslim Community Chairman, Prof. Lai Olurode, bursar, Mr. Nurudeen Lawal and the Chief Imam, Central Mosque, Prof. M A Badmus

     

  • Muslim faithful seek prayer for Nigeria

    Muslim faithfuls in Port Harcourt,  the Rivers State capital, have urged Nigerians to pray for the peace and stability of the nation.

    The people made the call shortly after  the 2019 Eid prayer at  Rumuodomaya prayer ground in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

     Imam Abdulahi Musa urged Muslims and Christians to always support and pray for Nigeria and the leaders for wisdom and knowledge to lead the country.

    Musa said: “Nigeria needs the prayers of everyone not just the clergymen to return to a better state because anything that is done in unison always yield good results. If Nigeria is on fire today, nobody will be spared; it will burn all of us. So, let us join our hands and build Nigeria”.

    On the issue of the agitation for secession, the Imam said it was not necessary. He added that the country needed everybody’s  supports to have a better envornment. The Imam said  the country would be better together than divided.

    He noted that Eid-el kabir feast promoted love, peace and alms giving and urged Muslims to use the feast as an avenue to give to the poor and needy.

  • Fayose storms prayer ground in Muslim regalia

    Fayose storms prayer ground in Muslim regalia

    •Observes Eid prayers with Muslims •Allow one of us to succeed you, worshippers tell Governor

    There was drama at the Eid prayer g-round at Olokemeji area of Odo Ado, Ado-Ekiti yesterday as Governor Ayo Fayose stormed the venue in a Muslim regalia with a turban to match.

    The governor observed the Eid-el-Kabir prayer with thousands of Muslim faithful and witnessed the slaughtering of the ram by the Grand Imam of Ekiti State, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello, who also doubles as the President of the League of Imams and Alfas in the South West, Edo and Delta states.

    The spiritual exercise soon turned political as the Muslims, who were impressed with Fayose’s gesture, urged him to consider supporting a Muslim to succeed him as governor when his tenure expires on October 15, 2018.

    The Imam, who praised Fayose, a Christian, for dressing like a Muslim, said the governor was fulfilling the injunction of Allah by not discriminating against those who belong to other religions.

    Bello said: “This dressing shows that the governor is not discriminating against any religion. Your Excellency, your dressing is even in line with biblical injunctions.

    “If you check the book of Zechariah 3:3, the Bible says “we removed unclean clothes from Joshua, we washed him clean and he was dressed with a clean turban on his head and God’s angel stood by him.

    “Our governor, as you wore the turban on your head, the angel of God is already with you, and that is why you are succeeding in all that you do, against all odds.”

    Demanding a Muslim successor from Fayose, Bello said: “Ekiti is 20 years now, and since its creation, we don’t have a Muslim governor yet. We urge you sir, if any Muslim is interested in the governorship from your party, kindly support him to fulfil his ambition.”

    Fayose said he decided to dress like a sheikh on Sallah day because he belongs to everybody in the state irrespective of their religions, adding that Muslims voted for him en masse at the last governorship poll.

    Fayose storms prayer ground in Muslim regalia
    Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose at the Ado Eid Praying Ground on Friday

    He said: “I represent everybody irrespective of religious differences. I got elected by everyone’s vote. Choice of religion is free.

    “As a leader, appearing in a Muslim regalia with a turban is to say that I must be part of everything the Muslims do and make them realise that we all are one family.

    “I will also ensure that all their demands today are met.”

    Promising to fulfil the desires of the Muslims in his best possible way, Fayose urged the Islamic clerics to always tell the leaders the truth and preach values of justice and equity.

    Fayose, who said that religious leaders wield more influence on the people than government officials or political leaders, urged them to use such influence to reorientate the people towards maintain love, peace, justice and equity for all.

    He added: “Muslims are very peculiar people and Islam is not known for violence.

    “We have same blood flowing in our veins and are first of all human beings before we chose our religion. So, God in us is more important than the religion. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

    “I therefore enjoin them to continue to live in peace for the collective growth of our land, our nation. We will continue to work together so that this country remains one, indivisible but founded on justice and equity.”

  • Christian, Muslim clerics unite against corruption

    Christian and Muslims last Thursday stepped up discussions and efforts to combat the scourge of corruption across the nation.

    They met under the auspices of Religious Leaders Anti-Corruption (RLAC) at a roundtable discussion facilitated by Acting United States Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs Amy Lillis.

    Corruption, they agreed, had been monstrous and requires surgical treatment from interfaith communities.

    Special Representative Lillis pledged the U.S. government’s continued support to the religious leaders as they work to find lasting solutions to stamp out the scourge of corruption.

    “The moral standing of religious leaders and the capacity of religious institutions to reach a broad cross-section of Nigerian society make RLAC’s work essential to the future of anticorruption advocacy.

    “Religious leaders are an essential component of the multi-faceted fight against corruption in this country,” she said.

    She explained that working against corruption was essential to many of the priorities of both the US government and the religious leaders, including constructing peaceful, secured societies and promoting prosperity.

    The National Publicity Secretary of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN), Bishop Emma Isong, said anti-corruption campaign must not be seen as a political party philosophy but a national agenda.

    He said it was essential that aspiring politicians undergo anti-corruption screening before winning elections as against the current practice of shielding themselves from prosecution once in offices.

    Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos State Chapter, Elder Dr Israel Akinadewo, said religious leaders should start showing members the consequences of benefitting from corruption.

    He said the anti-corruption battle must be institutionalised, not personalised to be successful.

    Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church Nigeria said religious leaders must be above board themselves to be able to confront corruption.

    He said the suffering in the land was a good opportunity to direct the “hunger and anger of Nigerians against looters in every sector and strata.”

    The Director, Strength In Diversity Development Centre Lagos, Imam Shefiu Majemu, said religious leaders must carefully peach, teach and empower members against corrupt practices.

    He pointed out that they must demonstrate the high costs of corruption and stop asking politicians for patronage during electioneering campaigns.

  • Muslim group seeks financial support for projects

    Muslim group seeks financial support for projects

    Chairman of Muslim Association of Nigeria (Lagos branch) Alhaji Taohoed Tyson has appealed for financial support for the association’s projects.

    The projects include purchase or supply of an air-conditioned 18-seater bus for its members’ means of transportation and completion of a school project.

    He made the appeal at a Ramadan lecture organised by the branch in honour of President of Eko Club, Chief Tunde Fanimokun.

    Tyson, who urged for donations from the members of Eko Club, their friends, association and invited guests, added that the association also has a school project in Ikorodu.

    He appealed to Muslims to help.

    “I seek the assurance of Chief Tunde Panimokun, past Presidents of Eko Club and our invited guests that they would do their very best to assist MAN Lagos branch, towards the actualisation of this project. May Almighty Allah (SWT) make it possible and may He continue to bless you all,” he said.

    An Islamic cleric and guest lecturer, Ustaz Lookman Saheed-Imam, urged Muslims and leaders to always abide by the pillars, tenets of their religion as well as the conducts of Prophet Muhammed during and after Ramadan fasting.

    The cleric said Islam is not a religion by accident, but the one sent by God, perfected through Prophet Muhammed and decreed for mankind.

    He urged Muslims to fear God and abide by the tenets of the religion, warning that they will be answerable to God on the Day of Judgment.

    The cleric urged Muslims to learn the Quran and Arabic language as well as to ensure their households learn the Holy Book.

    According to him, it has been established that no transcription of the Holy Book conveyed its exact meanings or interpretations of its Arabic language.

    Saheed-Imam also advised adherents of the religion in governments to know that they occupy positions of trust.

    According to him, it is incumbent on such leaders to have the love and welfare of their followers at heart.

    He counselled the followers to exercise patience with leaders in the face of the country’s recession.

    Quoting the Quran, he said God said after suffering, humankind would taste joy.

    “Definitely, Nigerians will enjoy at the end of our present travails, God willing,” Saheed-Imam said.

  • Muslim faithful mark Eid in Ibadan amid tight security

    Muslim faithful mark Eid in Ibadan amid tight security

    •Downpour stalls prayers in Bauchi

    Islamic prayer to mark the end of holy month of Raman fasting  in different parts of Ibadan witnessed large turnout of Muslim faithful amid tight security yesterday.

    Stern-looking policemen and other sister security agents, including Civil Defence and plain cloth state security agents were observed in most of the praying grounds across the city and environs.

    Commissioner of Police Abiodun Odude had on Friday told reporterswhen he visited the Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice M.L. Abimbola, that his men had been posted to strategic areas to forestall breach of the peace during and after the Eid-Fitiri celebration.

    In all the praying ground visited yesterday, there was peaceful conduct of prayers by Muslim faithful who trooped enmass as early as 9am to supplicate to God for the successful end of the fasting period.

    The Chief Imam of Ibadanland , Sheik Busari Agbotomojekere, who led prayer at the Yidi praying ground at Agodi , Ibadan, prayed for the unity of the country and President Muhammadu  Buhari .

    In Bauchi, heavy downpour in the early hours yesterday prevented teeming Muslim faithful in the metropolis from performing congregation prayers.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rainfall, which started at about 8am, lasted about  two hours, taking worshipers that had already arrived at open prayer grounds, by surprise.

    As it intensified, worshipers had to seek refuge in nearby buildings and tents, most of them, soaked in their new Sallah attires.

    When the rainfall subsided, most of them, particular women and children,  returned home. Few others sought for alternative places where the prayers were delayed.