The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muslims

  • Cleric urges Muslims on forgiveness

    A Kaduna-based Islamic Scholar, Malam Muhammad Nafi’u, yesterday advised Muslims to imbibe the culture of forgiveness and spirit of love.

    Nafi’u, the Chief Imam of Nupe Central Mosque, Kaduna, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said: “Allah that created us forgives our sins. Therefore, mankind should also have the spirit of love and forgiveness. Forgiveness breeds mutual respect and in turn, leads to development, peace and stability in the society.

    “On the other hand, hatred, which is against the true teaching of Islam, leads to destruction, and set back to the society.

    ‘‘So, it is obligatory on Muslims to have the spirit of forgiveness to earn Allah’s blessings and rewards.’’

    Nafi’u urged the Muslim to pray for the restoration of the nation, noting that with prayers Allah will turn “our situation around’’.

     

  • Participate actively in politics, Lagos SSG, ex-lawmaker tell Muslims

    Participate actively in politics, Lagos SSG, ex-lawmaker tell Muslims

    Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mr Abdul Lateef Tunji Bello and a former lawmaker cum Chief Imam Lagos State House of Assembly, Dr Abdul Hakeem AbdulLateef yesterday said active participation in politics by religious people will help develop the country.

    The duo spoke at the Ramadan lecture organised by the Ansar-Ud-Deen College, Isolo Old Students’ Association at the school hall, Isolo, Lagos.

    Bello, who chaired the event, urged members of the National Assembly to fear Allah in going about their legislative duties.

    “With the present situation in the National Assembly, I will advise them to fear and respect Allah, moreso, Ramadan preaches piety and peace,” he said.

    The Lagos SSG hailed the alumni for contributing to the nation’s development.

    Dr AbdulLateef wondered why office holders make promises on their inauguration day without fulfilling them.

    While speaking on Muslims as drivers of development in the present day Nigeria, he said Allah created Muslims as the best community for mankind, adding that the present situation of the country is caused by leaders who do  not fulfilling their promises.

    “Back then, we build houses without burglaries and walls but today, it’s not possible which is an evidence of insecurity. There is nothing that happened in this country without being stated by Allah in the Quran. Nigeria is the only blessed country in the world; our weather is balance, everything is available but with bad leaders.

    “Our leaders make us have Boko Haram today. Why did they not fulfil their promises? Why not give them good education and provide their needs; Nigeria is in trouble and all we need is to participate in the politics,” he said.

    The Chief Imam added: “Allah has warned us that He will not change our situation except we change from our wayward attitude. We have used our personal ambition to destroy collective good.

    Dr. Abdul Hakeem Abdul Lateef urged parents to train their children  well and good ambassadors.

    Earlier in his address, National Present of the alumni, Dr Umar Oluwole Sanda implored Nigerians to pray for leaders to follow the righteous path.

  • Cleric to Muslims: make Quran your companion

    Cleric to Muslims: make Quran your companion

    he Chief Imam of Apo Legislator’s Quarters’ Jumat Mosque, Abuja, Sheikh Muhammed Khalid yesterday urged Muslims to get close to Allah and pray for the country.

    Khalid said Muslims should see the holy month as an opportunity to increase their charity giving, spiritual purification and pray for the nation.

    He urged them to use the  month for sober reflection, saying that it was a month that all the Muslims all over the world were expected to right wrongs.

    He also advised Nigerians to engage in more spiritual activities, ask for forgiveness of sins and strive to attain righteousness and piety.

    The imam enjoined Muslims to make the Holy Quran their companion.

    He called on Muslims to always do the right thing, not only in the month of Ramadan, but in all other months, to make the society a peaceful place.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Khalid said fasting in the month of Ramadan was one of the five pillars of Islam, which every true Muslim must be part of.

    He said it was compulsory for all good Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadan, except for those exempted by the Holy Quran.

    He said the exemptions were only for the pregnant women, the aged and the very sick, among others.

    He called on Nigerians to join hands with the government in tackling insurgency and other anti-social activities.

    Also, Malam AbdulJelil Kilani, Deputy Chief Imam, Islamic Youth League of Nigeria (IYL), Mosque, urged Muslims to show mercy on the less privileged.

    This, he said, would go a long way in reducing their sufferings and conditions of living.

    “ Those that show mercy and tried to reduce the suffering of the less privileged ones during the month of Ramadan, will have abundant reward here and in the hereafter.

    “Those that show mercy on the less privileged will also receive same from those above them’’, he said.

    He urged Muslims to see the month as a month of sacrifice, spiritual purification and devotion to the worship of the Almighty Allah.

    Kilani warned Muslims not to engage in activities capable of jeopardising the peace and tranquillity in the country.

    He called on Nigerians to pray for the new government to succeed.

    A Muslim faithful, Malam Muhammed Abdulsalam, said fasting was one of the fundamental principles of Islam that must be obeyed by all Muslims irrespective of their status.

    He urged Muslims to be righteous in whatever they do, not only during the month of Ramadan but always.

    Abdulsalam also urged Muslims to use the month of fasting to increase their spiritual cleansing and closeness to the Almighty Allah.

     

  • Zakat Foundation to feed 35, 000 Muslims

    Zakat Foundation to feed 35, 000 Muslims

    A faith-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF) has spoken of plan to feed no fewer than 35,000 Muslims across the Southwest under its Iftar Saim (meals for breaking fast) project.

    Its Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib said  N16 million has been budgeted for the project.

    Imam Shuaib said some of the Iftar Saim programmes include Public lectures/Seminars, distribution of food items, beverages, groundnut oils, sugar and milks among others to individuals, orphanage homes, physically challenged people and prison yards.

    He said the objective of the Iftar Saim was to create an enabling environment for indigent Muslims to actively participate in Ramadan Fast and give them a sense of belonging.

    Imam Shuaib added that the programme also aimed at providing a window of opportunity for wealthy to earn Allah’s blessings by assisting the less-privileged.

    This, he said, will make them maximise the rewards of the Holy month.

    “It is planned to facilitate genuine love and true spirit of brotherhood in Islam among Muslims of all walks of life and to foster unity through the instrumentality of Ramadan fast cum Iftar Saim,” he said.

    The Iftar Saim programme, the foundation boss said, will extend to Federal Capital Territory, Edo, Delta, Kwara and Niger states.

    Imam Shuiab thanked patrons and people who donated to the project, appealing to philanthropists and individuals to assist the needy during and after the month of Ramadan.

  • Promote love, peace, Buhari urges Muslims

    Promote love, peace, Buhari urges Muslims

    President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians to pray for the return of peace, love and prosperity throughout the country as Muslims start the 2015 Ramadan fast.

    In a congratulatory message released by his Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity), Garba Shehu, President Buhari implored Muslims to seek maximum benefits from the Ramadan period “by being helpful to all manner of people, learning and following the true message of the religion as taught by the Holy Prophet.”

     He also appealed to the perpetrators of violence and destruction in the name of Islam all over the world to desist from tarnishing the name of the religion.

    He said: “As we make collective efforts to bring to a permanent end the menace of the Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin countries, let me use this auspicious occasion to appeal to our misguided brothers to drop their arms, embrace peace and seek a better understanding of Islam during this Holy period and beyond.”

    The President prayed to Allah to bring peace and harmony to all parts of the country and the world at large.

       “I wish all our citizens a blessed Ramadan. Ramadan Kareem Mubarak,” he said.

  • Don advises Muslims on corruption

    The Chief Imam, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Osun State, Taofeek Abdulhammed, an engineer, has urged Muslims to join hands to eradicate corruption.

    He gave the advice during the 3rd Abass-Elegba Community Foundation Pre-Ramadan lecture at the Ijaye Housing Estate Muslim Association (IHEMA) Central Mosque at Agege in Lagos.

    Abdulhammed, who spoke on the theme: “Fight Against Corruption: The Islamic Perspective,” noted that the nation’s developmental process is being hindered by the magnitude of corruption in the country.

    He said: “Islam has taught us not to be unnecessarily greedy. It is out of greed that people become corrupt because they focus more on materialism. If we focus on Allah and His oneness, we will realise our mistakes. Muslims should be honest and must ensure to live above God.

    President of IHEMA, Mr. Bashir Braimah, who said individuals should eschew corruption in their personal lives to have positive effect on the society and the nation advised: “Muslims owe the duty to each other and Allah to be upright. The corruption in Nigeria today is too endemic. If we start as Muslims to comply with our oath of office, especially those who are in public offices who swore on oath with the Qur’an, things will change for the better. Also, even the new generation intends to go into power to steal and not to serve the country. As soon as we change our mindset to serve willingly, corruption may not be completely erased, but will be reduced with time.”

    IHEMA Chief Imam, Shafi Mumuney, said the programme was to make Muslims be on the alert for the next Ramadan to make them more dutiful to Allah. “In order to eradicate corruption, we have to believe totally in the submission of Allah. The fear of Allah is paramount in our lives,” he noted.

  • Advice for Muslims

    The Chief Imam, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Murtala Bidmos has urged Muslims to be of good conduct and lead an exemplary life.

    He gave the advice during the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta Muslim Alumni Association (FUNAAMAA) 17th annual national convention at the LCCI building in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Bidmos, who said the two values that Nigerians lack are education and unity which could be accessed through the study of the Qur’an, advised that “we must not fail to capture the essence of education in the gaunt of our religious practices. With education, we would understand our religion better and practise it well.”

    The two-day convention featured lectures, visit to Bab-Es-Salam Home and an interactive session.

    Chairman FUNAAMAA, Lagos chapter, Abdul’Lateef Iginla said it is a platform to extend Islamic brotherhood.

    FUNAAMAA National President Dr. Abdulrazaq Adebowale said the theme was an exposition of the divine order, worldview and ideology that allow all men, Muslims and non-Muslims, to interact to achieve sustainable harmony, peace and orderliness in this world.

  • Candidate urges Muslims to pray for Nigeria

    The Edo South Senatorial District’s All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Samson Osagie, has urged Muslims to use the Eid-el-Maulud (the birth of Prophet Mohammed) to pray for peace and security in Nigeria.

    The APC candidate addressed reporters on Friday in Benin, the Edo State capital.

    Osagie, who is the Minority Whip in House of Representatives, made a similar appeal to Christians last week during the Christmas celebration.

    The lawmaker said Nigeria had never faced serious security and economic challenges that needed urgent prayers than now.

    He said: “This is the time Muslims remember the birth of Prophet Mohammad through acts of worship, acts of kindness and goodness to children, the poor and the aged.

    “If Muslims and Christians embark on prayers during our time of worship, I am sure God will intervene and solve these problems.”

    Osagie hailed Governor Adams Oshiomhole for the developments last witnessed in the six years in the state.

    He said the development had improved the socio-economic activities in the state, adding that APC had come to stay.

  • Kano blast: Muslims will not be intimidated- Emir

    The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has condemned Friday’s bomb attack at the Kano Central Mosque in which about 120 persons were killed.
    Speaking during a visit to the scene of the incident on Saturday, Sanusi said Muslims in the country will not be intimidated into abandoning their region due to the attacks.
    According to the Emir, from all indications, the attack was planned about two months.
    He directed that the Mosque be washed and cleaned for prayers t continue to hold.

  • Muslims pray for peace

    Muslims pray for peace

    The Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Surulere, Lagos Chapter, has embarked on a prayer session for a peaceful election in the state in 2015.

    The women gathered at Oluwalowi Central Mosque on Randle Street in Surulere to pray for the state and celebrate the new Islamic year 1436AH.

    The group’s Amirah (female president), Alhaja Rashidat Oyesoro, said: “We have come together to pray to Allah to usher in the new Islamic year and for peace to reign in Lagos and Nigeria. We are praying against any evil in the state. We are doing this because we believe there is no power outside the Almighty’s. So, we ask Allah to give us peace in the state during the coming election and beyond.”

    Alhaja Oyesoro added: “We partner with some other non-governmental organisations at election periods to monitor the proceedings to ensure that the election is successful, free and fair. We are ready again as the nation prepares for the general elections in 2015 to monitor the proceedings.”

    She called on the government to provide jobs for youths to curb terrorism and other social vices in the country.

    The group’s coordinator, Alhaja Silifat Oyewola, who urged Muslims to learn how to endure trials, added: “The government should give more priority to the Islamic year by enlightening the people about the year and celebrating with the Muslims.”