Religion

MUSWEN Applauds Yahya’s Service, Unity Drive

By Web News 279

By Nafiu Busari

The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN, has organised a send-off and appreciation ceremony for its immediate past Executive Secretary, Professor Muslih Tayo Yahya, at its secretariat in Ibadan.

The President of MUSWEN, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, commended Professor Yahya for serving the organisation with humility, wisdom and a strong commitment to unity.

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Alhaji Oladejo said the event was not a farewell but an expression of love, respect and appreciation for a devoted servant of the Muslim Ummah.

He described the retired Executive Secretary as a leader whose tenure was marked by selfless service and unwavering dedication to unity.

In a sermon, the Immediate Past Chief Imam, University of Ibadan, Mr Abdur-Rahman Oloyede, urged Muslim leaders to confront the low level of education among Muslims.

Professor Oloyede called for greater empowerment of Muslim youths through education and entrepreneurial skills.

He expressed concern over the growing number of out-of-school children in Ibadan and called for urgent intervention.

The Pioneer Executive Secretary of MUSWEN, Professor Daud Noibi, reflected on the organisation’s growth and evolution.

He thanked Allah for guiding the leadership and staff of MUSWEN over the six-year tenure of the retiring Executive Secretary.

Speaking on behalf of the MUSWEN Secretariat, the Director of Finance and Accounts, Alhaji Wakil Olaniyi, said Professor Yahya assumed office at a critical period in the organisation’s history.

He said the former Executive Secretary displayed clarity of purpose and deep commitment to MUSWEN’s ideals.

In his response, Professor Muslih Yahya expressed gratitude to MUSWEN for the support he received during his tenure.

He pledged to continue contributing to the progress of the organisation and the Muslim community.

The new Executive Secretary of MUSWEN, Professor Wole Abbas, appreciated his predecessor’s service and promised to build on his legacy.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Religion

Clerics Appeal to South West Governors on Establishment of Sharia Courts of Appeal

By Web News 434

By Nafiu Busari

The Concerned Muslim Scholars in Nigeria have called on South-West state governors to grant the legitimate and constitutional request of Muslims for the establishment of Sharia Courts of Appeal across the six states in the geo-political zone.

The organization, in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, made the demand during a news conference held at Arisekola Mosque, Iwo Road, Ibadan.

President-General Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRasheed Hadiyatullahi, while addressing newsmen on the state of the nation as it affects Yoruba Muslims in particular, and Nigerians in general stressed that it is the mandatory duty of Southwest governors to establish Shari’ah Court of Appeal and subordinate Courts of first instance for Muslims who are in the majority.

“The establishment of Sharia Courts is exclusively for Muslims and parties who wish to be adjudicated according to Sharia principles, and its establishment should not be misconstrued as a prejudice to the rights of non-Muslims or an agenda to Islamize Nigeria” he clarified.

Sheikh Hadiyatullahi added that the establishment of the Independent Shari’ah Panel was to adjudicate Muslim disputes by Islamic injunctions and to fill the lacuna in the conventional judicial system in various states.

He also urged President Bola Tinubu to address unfair treatment meted out to Southern Muslims in all aspects of public service.

Sheikh Hadiyyatullahi said such redress would cancel the suspicion of subtle political annihilation against Muslims, while those opposing President Tinubu during his campaign period are reaping the proceeds of Muslim/Muslim Ticket.

The Pioneer Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN, Professor Daud Noibi maintained that only those who are ignorant of the values and significance of Shari’ah would oppose its establishment.

Professor Noibi while cautioning non-Muslims against objection to Shari’ah equally urged some Islamic clerics to desist from obstructing willing Muslims who are ready to comply with Allah’s commandments in their lifestyle.

He noted that Shari’ah guarantees good governance and adequate security of lives and property.

The Director of Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola who lamented the deprivation of Muslims in Yorubaland the right to freedom of religion, said the tripartite nature of the justice system should be operated to give room for equal opportunity, accessibility to justice, fairness which are features of democracy.

A retired Professor of Islamic and Arabic Studies at the University of Ibadan, Kamil Oloso harped on the need for clerics and organizations to sensitise Nigerians about the universality of Islam, stressing Shari’ah discourse is devoid of ethnicity or sectional interest.

Professor Oloso called for spreading the message of Shari’ah to the federal government, documentation and translation of the suggestions by various scholars into major Nigerian languages.

Chairman Council of Ulama, Lagos state, Sheikh Abdulfatah Thani appealed to the government to accede to the demand for the establishment of Sharia Courts to shame enemies of the country who had predicted its disintegration.

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Education

Forum Raises Alarm over Growing Rate of Out-of-School Children

By Web News 492

By Bunmi Agboola

The rate at which out-of-school children in the country increases on a daily basis has been described as a menace that should be urgently addressed by all and sundry in the country.

This was the submission of Civil Society Network for Peace and Restorative Justice in collaboration with the Oyo State Government at a one-day stakeholders round-table talk at MUSWEN Conference Hall, Iwo Road, Ibadan to commemorate this year International Day of Peace.

The guest speaker at the forum, a retired chief lecturer, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Professor Sabitu Olagoke, who described the high rate at which out-of-school children in the country increased by the day, said it posed a huge threat to the progress of the country.

Also contributing, the Secretary, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr Jacob Dairo, represented by Mr Muslideen Olanipekun, said about 20 millions children in Africa aged between 6 and 18 years are not enrolled in school, citing UNESCO.

He noted that approximately one million out-of-school children are in the country, pointing out that the Oyo State Government led by Engineer Seyi Makinde free education programme was a total package aimed at transforming the state into an egalitarian one.

While reacting, the Zonal Director Federal Radio Cooperation of Nigeria, Mr Dominic Mokikan,  represented by Deputy Director, Outside Broadcast and Sports, Mrs Abiodun Ogidan, said parents should wake up to their responsibilites in shaping the future of their children.

In his address, the chairman of the forum, Professor Rasheed Aderinoye, said collaboration across board was needed to nip the menace in the bud.

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Politics

MUSWEN Lends Weight to South-south Christian Senate Presidency

By Web News 441

By Nafiu Busari

The Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria () has expressed support for the South-south Christian Senate presidency agenda.

MUSWEN in a statement by its Executive Secretary Professor Muslih Yahya, stated that it would go a long way to correct the erroneous interpretation of the Muslim-Muslim presidency

The Southwest Muslims umbrella body stated that “this reassuring move is most laudable. This bold move has the propensity of further uniting Nigeria across both tribal and religious lines. It is a very laudable and progressive move that is capable of engendering peace and national cohesion”, it said. 

MUSWEN added, “The Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN), the umbrella body for all Muslim organisations and Muslim interests in the Southwest of Nigeria, hereby lends its support to this Christian South-south Senate presidency agenda.

“We use this opportunity to call on well-meaning Nigerians to support the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and vice president-elect, Sen. Kashim Shettima, in their onerous task of taking Nigeria to greater heights.”

The body stated that “Elections are over; this is the time for national reconciliation. In the spirit of our greater tomorrow, let us all join hands to usher in a new dawn in Nigeria as we inaugurate the new administration of our president-elect and vice president-elect on Monday 29th May 2023.”

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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

Religion

Most of Nigeria’s problems stem from insincere leaders – Prof. Olagoke

By Web News 693

The need for attitudinal change improved funding of education, the moral upbringing of children and job provision by the government as a panacea to corruption formed the focus of a day public lecture to commemorate the 2020 World Anti-Corruption Day.

The event organized by the Peacemakers Guide Humanitarian Support Organization in collaboration with Shafaudeen Centre for Religious Cooperation and Tolerance in Ibadan bemoaned high level of poverty and insecurity in Nigeria.

In a lecture by the founder, Shafaudeen in Islam, Wakajaye, Ibadan, Professor Sabit Olagoke said corruption had affected the economic development of Nigeria thereby increasing poverty and unemployment ratio.

Professor Olagoke who blamed corruption in the country to lack of sincere commitment by past political leaders, loss of moral and ethical values in the society stressed the need for integrity and patriotism by Nigerians to overcome corruption.

Representatives of National Orientation Agency, NOA, in Oyo State, Oyo State Ministry of Health and Civil Society Organizations called for renewed efforts by all and sundry to overcome the menace of corruption in the country.

In a remark, the Executive Secretary, Muslim Umah of Southwest Nigeria, MUSWEN, Professor Muslih Tayo-Yahyah and former executive secretary, MUSWEN, Professor Dawud Noibi called on Nigerians to seek divine intervention to end corruption and other crises affecting the progress of the country.

Director-General of the Peacemakers Guide Humanitarian Support Organization, Professor Adegbolagun judge said the event with the theme; “United Against Corruption” was meant to seek collective responses to address corruption as the day is being marked.

Rotimi Famakin

Religion

MUSWEN Urges Southwest Muslims to Observe Eid-Fitri Prayer at Home

By Web News 913

Muslims in the Southwest have been urged to plan to observe the Eid Fitri prayer that marks the end of Ramadan at home.

This is contained in a statement in Ibadan by Executive  Secretary,  Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria,  MUSWEN, Professor Muslih Yahya.

Professor Yahya said since the possibility of relaxing the suspension of religious activities in the region was slim, praying Eid at prayer grounds would not be possible hence the faithful should observe the prayer at home.

“From the look of things, it is not likely that the current social distancing regulations put in place by governments in the States in the South West of Nigeria, necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic would be relaxed by Eid day, consequently it is not likely that observance of Eid prayers at the Eid Prayer grounds would be possible”.

He said the two Rakaat prayer of Eid that would be observed at home should follow the same process as observed at Eid prayer ground except that there would not be sermon at the end of the prayer. 

 “It is not forbidden for an individual or the family to observe at home the two-Rak’ah Nafl (supererogatory) Eid prayer in the following manner, excluding only the Khutbah (sermon)”.

The MUSWEN Executive Secretary enjoined Muslims to put on their best dresses on the Eid day as recommended by Prophet Muhammad and stay safely at home to mark the day with their families.

All Muslims are urged to put on their best dresses on the Eid day as recommended by authentic traditions of the Prophet (SAW), but STAY SAFELY AT HOME marking the Eid day with the family, in view of the movement restrictions necessitated by the pandemic”.

He noted that giving of Zakatul Fitri, alms to the poor in form of foodstuffs would start from the eve of the Eid day and would end before the prayer.

“On the eve of the Eid day or after the Fajir prayer of the Eid Day and shortly before the usual time for the Eid Prayer, Zakat el-Fitri is expected to be given out to the poor on behalf of EVERY member of the family, from infant to the oldest person, male or female”.

“The measure of Zakat el-Fitr per person is four measures of the “mudun-Nabiy”  (the Prophetic measure) which has been approximated to about 14 usual milk-tins known in most markets of South West Nigeria, in grains popular for food in the area  such as rice, beans, maize and  millet or other staple food item such as gari. Rice and gari however seem to have a great deal of acceptance in South West Nigeria”.

Professor Yahya called on Muslims in the Southwest to join the rest of the Ummah in Nigeria in looking out for the crescent of Shawwal on Friday evening and wait  for a formal announcement of the exact day of Eid by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar. 

“Muslims in the South West should join the rest of the Ummah in Nigeria in looking out for the crescent of Shawwal shortly before Maghrib of Friday 29th Ramadan 1441, equivalent to 22nd May 2020, communicate any sighting to MUSWEN on 08033579545 or 08096898432 but wait patiently for a formal announcement of the exact day of Eid by the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. Allah says: “And hold fast to the rope of Allah, all of you together, and be not disunited….” (Qur’an 3:103)”.

He added that despite the atmosphere of the COVID-19 pandemic in which Ramadan fasting was observed, Almighty  Allah deserved to be thanked for His mercy and urged Muslims to celebrate the Eid with caution and vigilance.

“Indeed the Ramadan of this year has been extremely challenging for the Ummah. It has been the will of Allah to test how resolute and determined we can be in seeking to reach one another as one Ummah and try to please Him, Subhanahu wa Ta’ala as our Creator. A reflection over the circumstances and the atmosphere of the COVID-19 pandemic would show that the Ummah has a great deal of reasons to thank Allah for His mercy. Therefore, we have every reason to celebrate the Eid to the best of our ability, but with a great deal of caution and vigilance, and with Eman (faith) and Taqwa (being mindful of Allah). We beseech Him SWT, to overlook our human inadequacies and have more mercy on us”

Ridwan Fasasi 

Religion

MUSWEN Calls for Palliative Measures over Sit-At-Home Order

By Web News 760

Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN has joined in the call on governments to provide palliative measures to cushion the effects of stay-at-home order on the citizens.

This is contained in a statement in Ibadan by Executive Secretary of MUSWEN, Professor Muslih Yahya.

Professor Yahya noted that it will be justified on the part of the governments to punish any violation of stay-at-home rules provided palliative measures were put in place for all citizens staying off their means of livelihood.

“The governments are implored to provide palliative measures to cushion the attendant economic hardships as a result of citizens staying off their works and means of livelihood. Only then may the governments be well advised to adequately punish any violation of “quarantine” or stay-at-home rules”.

He also called on the governments to provide adequate protection for healthcare and other service providers while on their duty of saving lives.

“The governments must also provide adequate protection for health care and other service providers while on their duties of saving lives”.

“We pray to Almighty Allah to save the world from the deadly virus that threatens our existence”.

The MUSWEN Executive Secretary said the sacrifice of suspending congregational prayers is inevitable and in line with Islamic ethics while such should not be allowed to, in any way cause any division within the Muslim community.

“The Muslim Ummah all over the world is particularly hard-hit by the social distancing measures necessitated by the pandemic because the congregation is a very important and highly rewarding aspect of the Islamic worship”. “Consequently, it is creating serious division within the Ummah. Understandably, some believers do not want to accept that anything, whatsoever, should hinder congregational prayers especially on Friday, the Eid days and the Tawaf and other pilgrimage related congregations”. “Unfortunately, the reality of the situation created by the presence of Coronavirus and its mode and rate of spreading in most parts of the world is such that the “sacrifice” of having to suspend large assemblies, for now, is, in most cases, inevitable.  Such suspension would fall squarely within the clear injunction of Allah in Surah al-Baqarah: …and make not your own hands contribute to your destruction… (Quran, 2:195) as well as highly popular guidelines given by the Prophet (SAW) for handling of epidemics or pandemic situations. Therefore, it is essential that the issue of suspending large congregational prayers is not allowed to, in any way cause any division within the Ummah. The Unity of the Ummah is always more important than any trivial points of differences of opinion, for Allah warns against consequences of disunity of the Ummah in, among others Surah al-Anfal, (Quran 8:46)”.

He emphasized that the current situation should be seen by Muslims as an opportunity to be closer to Allah by spending the stay-at-home times in engaging in spiritual activities like the recitation of Quran, supplications, fasting in this month of Shaban, which precedes Ramadan. 

“This current situation should be seen as an opportunity to be closer to our God by spending our isolation and stay-at-home times in engaging in spiritual activities like tilawatul Quran, adhkar, supplications, fasting, etc especially in this holy month of Shaban”.

Professor Yahya explained that MUSWEN, which is an umbrella for all Islamic communities and organisations in the Southwest region has as well aligned with the government’s directives in line with the current reality of COVID-19. 

“MUSWEN has taken steps along the line of social distancing by terminating or postponing parts of its scheduled important activities and suspending decision or further action on others while monitoring the situation”. 

“The Secretariat Staff have been compelled to work from home in observance of the stay-at-home measures”. “A MUSWENs Health NGO, Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria Health Care Givers Society had, weeks ago released a statement, a leaflet on Covid-19 educating the populace about, and giving admonition on, the prevention of the deadly virus”.

He lauded the efforts of governments at both the federal and states at curbing the spread of the virus and enjoined to do more to halt the disease while imploring the people to support the governments to achieve the feat.

“MUSWEN commends the efforts of governments at all levels in the country at curtailing the spread of the virus. We declare our total support and pledge compliance with all measures recommended by experts and relevant authorities and directives of the governments aimed at stopping the spread”.

“Nigeria is not yet close enough to such an improving situation. This means there is still much more that needs to be done both by the Government and the populace. The spread of the virus can only be through human to human transmission. Therefore curtailing its spread can only be by avoiding close contacts with individuals who have it. We salute the citizens who diligently obeyed the authorities’ directives which include the maintenance of the rules of hygiene, social distancing and staying indoors. Others are further implored to comply with the directives though difficult in the face of economic hardship. The truth remains that the more strictly we adhere to the preventive measures the faster we go on the path of curtailing the spread and subsequently eradicating the virus and getting back to our normal healthy patterns of social, spiritual and economic life”. 

“However, Alhamdulillah, there is good news: the pandemic, Coronavirus is, after all, not totally uncontrollable as some countries including China where it all began, is beginning to get out of the worst situations in which they had been. They are successfully curtailing the spread and they are sustaining the improved situation”.

Ridwan Fasasi