Tag: Muslims
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Photo: Ambode attends seminar for 2015 hajj pilgrims
L-R: Hon Dr Abdul Hakeem Abdullateef, Lagos State Hamirl-Hajj; Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Governor; Dr Yaqub Bashorun, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Lagos State; Mrs Ebunola Oladimeji, Permanent secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Alhaji Bashir Braimah, Director, Home Affairs and Alhaji Muneer Bankole, Managing Director, Medview Airline during a one-day Seminar for the Lagos State 2015 intending Hajj Pilgrims held in Lagos on Monday. Cross section of Lagos 2015 intending Hajj Pilgrims during a one-day seminar organised by Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board on Monday -
Adhere to Islamic teachings, Muslims urged
By Oluwatomisin Amokeoja and Enitan Seriki
The Chairman of Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN), Lagos Chapter, Alhaji Taoreed Tyson and Dr. Musa Ismail of THE University of Lagos (UNILAG) have enjoined Muslims to adhere to the teachings of the Holy Quran, even after the Ramadan period.
They gave the advice at a lecture ENtitled: “Good Governance, its Elements and Expectations with Relevant Islamic References”, organised in Lagos by MAN.
Tyson said the essence of the lecture was to “learn more about the teaching of the Holy Quran and also the Hadith of Prophet Muhammed, so as to enable us to follow them and make sure that most of the things laid down there by ways of dos and don’ts are followed to enable us live happily”.
“The teachings are not meant for Ramadan period alone. We are enjoined to abide by that teaching, even after the Ramadan because after the Ramadan, the faith remains and the religion remains. So, there is no need for a Muslim to say that I must observe the teachings only during the Ramadan, and after the Ramadan, I will not observe them. If they can continuously observe all this teaching of both the dos we must follow and don’ts we must avoid, you will see that before or after the Ramadan, the country will be very peaceful,” he added.
The Muslim leader seized the opportunity to plead with the politicians and Federal Government to fulfill the promises they made to the masses before they were elected into office.
In his words, “promise is a debt and Allah does not waste his time on those who promises and don’t fulfill them. So, they should try and fulfill the promises they made to the electorate”.
Ismail urged the Muslims not to fail in their responsibilities to humanities, as this is a trust ordained by God.
Failing to carry out ordained responsibility, the don said, would lead to a severe punishment by God, who has entrusted them with the responsibilities.
“Islam is all about truth; truth to yourself, your community and to the entire nation. We also mentioned that governance start with self. How do I govern myself? What do I do with my head? What thought is there? What should I do with my hand, my leg, eye etc? On the day of judgment, Allah (SAW) will ask you what you did with your body,” Ismail said.
The lecturer urged Nigerian leaders to ensure that those that will work them are selected on merit because they cannot do it alone.
His words: “They need people to join hands with them to be able to deliver on their promises and they should not be too far away from the people and they should ensure they consult with people on issues affecting them.
“Mutual consultation should be the basis of the relationship between the leader and the followers. They should ensure that they consult with the people to be able to establish their needs and on the basis of that, they will be readily guided and do what they are expected to do.”
In the same vein, retired Permanent Secretary and chairman of the occasion Otunba Nurudeen Ojora Adejiyan advised the Muslims to cooperate with leaders.
“The leaders do not have monopoly of wisdom. They should not deny them of their informed advises as at when due,” he said.
Adejiyan admonished the Muslims to go through due process as Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran and “they should have it in mind that whatever they want to do should be done with honesty and justice”.
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Emerhor urges Muslims, Christians to promote peace
•APC chieftain greets Sultan Abubakar
Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the April 11 election, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, has urged Muslims and Christians to respect one another’s religion and avoid insulting people’s beliefs in the guise of freedom of speech.
The APC chieftain said this was necessary for the nation to avoid the spread of hate.
In a statement by his Media and Political communication Adviser, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, the APC chieftain said Muslims and Christians are created by God/Allah with divine primary assignment to be agents of peace.
He said the two books of Islam – The Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah – promote love, peace, tolerance, freedom of belief and mutual understanding.
Emerhor noted that terrorism and killing of innocent people are condemned in Surah Al-Anaam (Chapter Six), Verse 151.
He posited that the Hadith of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is full of examples of where he showed love and affection, even to the strangers, non-believers and enemies of Islam.
The APC chieftain said Jesus Christ also preached love, peace and tolerance.
According to him, freedom of belief and mutual understanding remain the remedies to cure terrorism and promote global peaceful coexistence to secure a progressive future.
Emerhor, in his Eid-El-Fitr message, congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III and Muslims all over the world on the auspicious occasion.
He described the Sultan as a royal father with vast knowledge, wisdom and virtue.
The APC chieftain urged Muslims to emulate the Sultan’s detribalised and patriotic virtues to take Nigeria to a higher level of socio-economic development.
He assured that President Muhammadu Buhari would end Boko Haram’s insurgency and effectively manage the nation’s human, material and financial resources for positive socio-economic transformation.
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Kubwa Muslims defy rain, throng out for prayers
Muslims in Kubwa, a satellite in Abuja came out in large numbers to attend the Eid el-Fitr prayers in spite of downpour in the area.
The prayers, which held at the Eid Praying Ground, Phase 3, Kubwa, Abuja, saw a large turnout of gaily dressed Muslim faithful, most of who got drenched in the rains.
Imam Abdurrahim Muhammad, the Chief Imam of Kubwa, in his sermon, enjoined Muslims to draw from the lessons of Ramadan and continue to live responsible lives.
He emphasised the importance of the Zakatul Fitir, which, according to him, all Muslims are obliged to pay on behalf of themselves and members of their families.
“The days of Ramadan were made lively through fasting and increased remembrance of Allah, while its nights were lightened through night prayers, and people retained an expected kind of behaviour.
“ Ramadan has left us with several lessons, like truthfulness, piety, justice, patience and goodness, and all these should be retained afterwards.
“Allah has enjoined all Muslims to observe the Zakatul Fitir at the end of Ramadan, and this is meant to increase our faith, complete or worship and perfect His favours upon us.
“It is obligatory on Muslims to give out Zakat on behalf of himself and those under his care, including wives, children, parents, relatives and house helps.’’
The Imam decried the spate of insurgency in the country and urged the government to take decisive steps to end the scourge.
“Boko Haram is a major challenge to Islam and we urge government to take the necessary steps in ensuring that the menace is ended and its perpetrators and sponsors brought to book.
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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.
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Be agents of positive change, Lagos speaker advises Muslims
Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has appealed to Nigerians in general, and Muslims in particular to be agents of positive change.
Obasa stated this at a Ramadan Lecture organised by Citinet in Ikeja, where he delivered a keynote address.
He called on leaders to hasten the process of revamping the socio-economic structure of the nation in order to effect real change in the life of Nigerians.
The speaker said the country needed to do away with the regime of impunity.
According to him, for real change to occur in governance ‘’our leaders, in their respective positions, must love Allah, obey His will, shun corruption, entrench respected institution of shura, allow rule of law, justice, and equity, transparency in governance, accountability and selfless service to govern their conducts in office.’’
The clamour for change in the running of the affairs of our nation, he pointed out, became necessary ‘’when poverty and injustice in the land had become the order of the day; oppression of the masses by the government through various methods pervaded the whole federation.’’
He stated that Islamic concept of change in governance presupposes the establishment of Rule of Law, khilafah (succession of God-fearing leaders) accountability, transparency, justice, equity and doing good and running away from all evils that can truncate dividends of democracy for our people.
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Muslims urged to trust Allah
Speaking during the annual Ramadan lecture at the Central Mosque, Osogbo, the Mufasir l Quran of Osogboland, Alhaji Maroof Isola has urged Muslims to put their trust in Allah instead of an Alfa because Islam means total submission to Allah. He wondered why some Muslims put their trust in Alfa.
“You should only put your trust in Allah not in any man, not in any Alfa, if you think you have an Alfa somewhere, you will just destroy yourself”
He claimed that as the number of alfas are growing, mischief makers among them are increasing. He urged Muslims to rediscover themselves as they could do what they run to Alfas to do for them.
“Some of these alfas that you run to are not better than you.”
Emphasising on the need for total submission to Allah, he noted that there is nothing that happens on earth either good or bad that Allah does not know about. “Submission to God means God does all things, which means whatever happens, you should regard it as Qadar(destiny).
He , however, acknowledged the fact that Allah can use people as instrument of favour upon somebody to make His decision to come into reality and such people serve as Shaba(Instrument of favour).
“ If you say there is no Sabbab(instrument of favour) and you just want to submit to God, that person must be examined or you believe in Qadar without Sabbab, that person will soon be consulting oracles. Both Sabbab and believing in Destiny go hand -in -hand.
He urged Muslims to work and pray not only pray without work.
He extolled the virtue of Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alh khamis Olatunde Badmus, saying his contributions to Islam has been massive, saying the dead and the living would be proud of him.
Speaking at the capacity filled venue of the lecture, Asiwaju thanked the congregation for their prayers, he announced that the task of giving the central mosque a befitting look is on course especially now that God has elevated members of the mosque to the higher place in the society.
As part of his oversight functions on Islamic Affairs,Asiwaju also used the occasion to inform the gathering that Mosque Committee for Osogbo Central Mosque has been inaugurated.
He said the reason behind the inauguration is to constitute a new set of people to manage the administration of the mosque in line with the best practices all over the country.
He added that the immediate and major assignment before the constituted committee is the reconstruction of the town Central mosque which has been in the offing for the past 17 years.
He added that the committee which is Chairman by Senator Bayo Salami,Alhaji Gani Adekunle Alh.Bayo Jimoh,Immediate Past GMD of Oodua Investment, Mr Bade Adesina,a Finance Expert, Alh Lai Busari,Justice Kola Adegoke of Osun State High Court, Alhaji Maroof Isola, Mufasir of Osogboland Representatives from Alasaro and Magaji would make effort to give people of Osogbo architectural designed mosque which will have underground car park among many other state -of -the art facilities.
About a million naira was donated to different groups at the end of programme.
Among the Asiwaju entourage at the function are Senator Bayo Salami, Baba Adeen of Osogboland, Alh Gani Adekunle, Aare Musulumi of Osogboland, Alh Adebayo Jimoh, Giwa Adeen of Osogboland, Justice Moshood Kunle Adeigbe of Osun State High Court,Alh Kayode Afolabi,Permanent Secretary, Local Government Pension Board, State of Osun, Alh Nurudeen Adeagbo,Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, State of Osun, Ajibola Basiru,Former Commissioner for Special Duties, State of Osun, Arch Goke Omigbodun and Alh Muniru Adebayo.
