Foreign

Explosion at Political Rally Kills 35

By Web News 383

At least 35 people have been killed in an explosion in Pakistan during a rally organised by an Islamist party.

At least 200 people were also injured in the explosion in north-west Bajaur district, where Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) was holding a meeting.

Police told the BBC that they have found evidence suggesting the explosion was a possible suicide attack.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and have warned the death toll is likely to rise further.

A rescue operation to assist the injured is ongoing and the motivation behind the possible terrorist attack is not yet clear.

Hundreds of people were attending the JUI-F workers’ convention in the town of Khar, in the Pakistani tribal district of Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near the border with Afghanistan.

Images being broadcast on local TV show ambulances ferrying injured people to hospital, and some are being taken by helicopter to nearby Peshawar for treatment.

Authorities have declared a health emergency at the district hospital.

Some badly injured people have been waiting in the hallways of health clinics struggling to cope with the high number of casualties.

A regional leader of the JUI-F, Maulana Ziaullah, was killed in the blast, local officials have said.

JUI-F is a major religious political party and forms part of the government coalition in Pakistan’s parliament.

The party’s leader, Fazal-ur-Rehman, has demanded that Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launch an inquiry into the explosion.

The political gathering was an opportunity for the JUI-F to rally its support, ahead of an election expected to take place later this year.

BBC/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Religion

2023 Hajj: Airlift of Oyo Intending Pilgrims to Commence May 31

By Web News 1079

By Nafiu Busari

The airlift of intending Muslim pilgrims from Oyo State to the holy land in Saudi Arabia will commence on Wednesday 31st of May 2023.

The Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim’s Wing), Professor Sayed Malik disclosed this in a chat with newsmen at the Olodo Ibadan office of the Board.

Professor Malik also made it known that the first batch of the intending pilgrims, who were scheduled to be airlifted to the holy lands from Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, is expected to depart Ibadan for Lagos on Tuesday, 30th of May 2023.

While assuring that all preparations are being made to ensure that the airlifts of the Intending Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia were hitch-free, the State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board Chairman admonished all those performing Hajj this year to be good ambassadors of the State and Country.

“We are striving to get Buses that will convey our intending pilgrims to Lagos, from where they will be airlifted to Mecca and Medina. We have also given them the necessary orientations on how to perform a successful hajj. My advice for the intending pilgrims is that they should make use of what we taught them by obeying Saudi laws”, Professor Malik stated.

He added that the Intending Pilgrims from the State are expected to leave the country in five batches, with the last batch departing the country on the 8th of June 2023.

“The departing schedule has been made. We have five flights, with the first coming up on the 31st of May. The last flight is expected to come up on the 8th of June 2023. We are also making necessary arrangements to ensure that our intending pilgrims do not wait for long in Lagos before departing for the holy lands”, the Board Chairman stated.

According to the Saudi-trained Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, the final medical screening/immunization for intending pilgrims from Ibadan, Ibarapa, Oyo and Ogbomoso as well as for state hajj officials and government delegates will hold tomorrow, Saturday 21st May 2023 at the state hajj camp in Olodo Ibadan.

He enjoined those yet to do their medical screening/immunization to make themselves available for the exercise on Saturday.

The exercise will continue on Tuesday next week in Saki for Intending Pilgrims from the Oke Ogun zone.

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Religion

Ramadan: Cleric Emphasizes Centrality of Worshipping Allah

By Web News 883

The worship of Allah is central to Islam and should be upheld by the faithful.

The Mufasiru Agba Ilorin Al-Adaby, Alhaji Uthman Sanni -Sheu stated this while delivering the 7th annual Ramadan lecture of the Ajebo International Market, Molete, Ibadan.

Speaking on the theme ‘Firmness in Islam’, Alhaji Sanni -Sheu explained that worshipping Allah alone would bring blessings and an abundance of wealth beyond the expectations of the faithful.

Earlier, President, Eléwé Ọmọ Lekuleja, Oyo State, Alhaji Abdul Jeli Amubikaun explained that the Ramadan lecture was organized to remind and educate Muslims faithful on the need to be steadfast in the worship of  Allah alone and to shun all divisive tendencies that could jeopardize their beliefs

Alhaji Amubikaun advised Muslims to use this period of Ramadan to show love to one another, especially to the less privileged and to pray for peace and unity of the nation.

Highlights of the day were awards to some Muslim faithful, recitation from the holy Quoran and songs.

Dignitaries at the event included Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo, Delta, Alhaji Makajuola Daudu, who was the Father of the Day, Alhaja Adijat Olaoye, the Mother of the Day, and Alhaji Isiak Gbolagade.

Fasilat Lawal

Economy

MUSWEN Calls for Youth Empowerment to Check Restiveness

By Web News 704

Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria, MUSWEN has re-emphasised the importance of empowerment of the downtrodden in order to check restiveness in the country.

This is contained in a communiqué jointly signed by MUSWEN’s President, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, and Executive Secretary, Professor Muslih Yahya after the 6th General Assembly of the Ummah held at the University of Ibadan. 

The MUSWEN noted that restiveness is hinged on poverty and lack of basic necessity calling on the government to tackle the challenge headlong.

In an address of welcome during the General Assembly, the President of MUSWEN, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo noted that as a way of empowering the Nigerian indigent students, the Ummah has consistently developed the capacity of poor but willing students in Nigerian higher institutions.

“As we all know, education is the master key with which to open the locked door. That is why MUSWEN is now thinking of reopening the gate of scholarship and even bursary for some of our indigent students.”

Alhajji Oladejo recalled that in the last 13 years that the MUSWEN has been established, it has provided rallying support for the Muslims in the southwestern states in terms of unity and empowerment opportunities. 

The guest speaker, Retired Commissioner of Police, Dr Yinka Balogun while speaking on the theme ” Insecurity in Nigeria: Effects on Human Psyche” attributed insecurity to weak structure and incapability of the government in guaranteeing decent society, good education and youth mobilisation.

Dr Balogun also identified corrupt practices which have become norms in the country and the widening gap that exists between the rich and the poor as the bane of the countries secure sovereign state.

“Causes of insecurity are a weak and capable government that cannot guarantee the genuine expectations of a decent society such as freedom from poverty, good education, youth mobilisation and provision of other necessary conditions of good living”.

Beyond rhetorics, Dr Balogun insisted that it is time to rise and challenge people in authority to act the right way.

“Time to rise and ask people in authority to do the needful, enough of discussions and conferences – Rise and instruct the capable– President, Governor, IGP, Senators Representatives to do what is right for the people. There is insecurity in the land – Please rise and make corrections”.

Dr Balogun argued against the amnesty given to those who deliberately killed and maimed innocent ones saying giving them pardon is against Allah’s injunctions.

He charged the government to be responsible for the insecurity in the country and proffer lasting solutions.

In a remark, a member of the Board of Trustees of MUSWEN, Alhajj Kunle Sanni observed that securing Nigeria should be the job of everyone. 

Alhaji Sanni noted that the security operatives cannot be present everywhere and charged the people to provide support to rid the country of unrest. 

“Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police and all the service chiefs cannot be everywhere and these criminals live among us, so we are concerned about the security situation in the country, we should give intelligent report to the security agencies.

“I am not suggesting that Nigerian carry guns, if we are saying that we should carry guns, we are escalating the tentacles of violence. So, I will not subscribe to the call that everyone should carry guns.

Every Nigerian should see himself as part of those who want to see the end of the ugly insurrection”.

Alhaji Sanni, therefore, advocated citizens’ involvement as a necessity so as to provide necessary information to the security agencies to assist in combating insecurity.

In a message to the Assembly, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State,  represented by S.A on Islamic Affairs,  Alhaji AbdRasheed AbdAzeez  hammered on unity of Nigeria and called on the people to make use of the slogan “if you see something,  say something” as this would enhance safety of lives and property. 

The Governor urged the Muslim Ummah to embrace continuous engagements with government with a view to enhancing good governance.

The MUSWEN, through the President, announced to the General Assembly the demise of Legal judicial juggernaut and former Acting President of MUSWEN, Justice Bola Babalakin (rtd) who died on Saturday, December 4, 2021, praying Allah to have mercy on the deceased.

Ridwan Fasasi

News Yoruba

Onimo Kan Nipa Esin Islam Ke Sawon Omoleyin Kristi Tawon Musulumi Lori Ifesemule Alafia

By Web News 1111

Onimo kan nipa esin Islam, Ojogbon Afis Oladosu ti gbawon omo leyin Kristi atawon Musulumi nimoran lati maa bowo fun igbagbo arawon lona faaye gba Alafia ko joba yika ile Nigeria.

Ojogbon Oladosu, to je olori eka eko nipa imo Arts nile Eko Giga Fasity Ibadan, lo gboro amoran yi kale lakoko to kopa lori eto ile-ise wa kan lede geesi ta npeni Straight Talk ikanni  Premier F.M 93.5.

O to kasi pe, ko si idagbasoke kan dabi alara to le waye layika ti rukerudo esin ba ti n waye.

Nigba to n soro lori Pataki aawe Ramadan, Ojogbon Oladosu ro awon Musulumi, lati kasa baa se fi fun ni nipase yiyo Zakati ati Sadaka lakoko ati leyin osu mimo yii, eyi to ni won yoo gba ere re lodo Olorun Oba Allah.

Fawon Musulumi tenumo idi, to fi se Pataki lati teramo ise rere won lai fi takoko awe nikan se, nitori pe ere n be fun.

Kehinde/Wojuade

Religion

NAHCON Lauds Osun Govt on Hajj Operations

By Web News 575

The Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, has lauded Osun state government for being the leading light and a pacesetter in the Hajj process in the country.

Alhaji Hassan said Osun has been top-notch as far as Hajj is concerned in the last ten years as manifested in the huge success the State had recorded over the years.

NAHCON Chairman gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at the Governor’s office, Abere.

He said the Commission has been monitoring the sterling performance of the State in the last ten years, a motive he described as most impressive and commendable.

Alhaji Hassan who led some members of staff of the Commission to Osun, described the visit as a familiarisation and advocacy visit to sensitise the Muslim community on the need to partake in the ongoing Hajj Savings Scheme.

In his remarks,Osun state Governor Mr Adegboyega Oyetola applauded Hassan for bringing innovation and modern technology to advance the operational scope of the Commission.

Mr Oyetola who described the Hajj Savings Scheme as a welcome development and people-oriented initiative, said “with this scheme people can go to Hajj without unnecessary financial burden.

Wasiu Ajadosu

Health Religion

Covid-19: Jumat Suspended in Some Mosques in Ibadan

By Web News 1608

The weekly Jumat services were not held today in some mosques in Ibadan in compliance with the guidelines of avoiding gathering of more than fifty people to prevent spread of coronavirus.

The mosques included those at University of Ibadan and Ansarudeen Society, Oke-Ado.

At the University of Ibadan Central Mosque, some worshippers who were not pre-informed of the situation turned back after reading notice of suspension of Jumat service pasted at strategic places.

According to the statement by the chief Imam, Professor Abdurahman Oloyede, the decision was reached after considering the recent global occurrences around Coronavirus especially the fact that the Ekiti State index stayed in Ibadan for 14 days.

However, Jumat services were held at other areas like Ibadan Central Mosque, Ojaba, Aliwo Central Mosque, Agodi-Gate and Lebanon Central Mosque, Ogunpa.

The central theme of the sermons at the various mosques was the need for hygienic living stressing that  cleanliness and purification were essential part before worshipping in Islam.

Ridwan Fasasi