Religion

Sultan Urges Muslim Youths To Embrace Constructive Agitation

By Web News 917

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar has called on Muslim youths to be constructive in their presentation and agitation.

He gave the admonition at the opening ceremony of the 111th edition of Islamic Vacation Course, IVC organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, B-Zone IVC Permanent Site along Ibadan-Lagos Expressway.

Alhaji Abubakar said the constructive and logical presentation of facts was essential to bringing about peaceful resolutions of agitations or demands.

The Sultan of Sokoto who was represented by the President, Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria, MUSWEN, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo enjoined Muslim youths to eschew violence, urging them to embrace peaceful coexistence.

“As we are going into the New Year, we all know the security situation of Nigeria. We should continue to pray for peace”.

“We must pray to overcome insurgence in Nigeria and for the New Year to be good for all of us Muslims and Non-Muslims.”

Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State who was represented by his Special Adviser on Education, Alhaji Jamiu Olawunmi admonished participants in the vacation course to use the opportunity in renewing their faith and reawaken their spiritual life.

He commended the contributions of MSSN leadership to Nigeria through their Dawah activities in schools and national education across the country.

“I enjoin you all to always propagate good virtues and also propose to all tolerance as well as peaceful coexistence regardless of our geopolitical zones, ethnic or religious practice,” he said.

In a remark, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Noimot Salako congratulated the MSSN on the IVC programme, urging them to remain committed to the propagation of sound morals.

Alhaja Salako admonished participants not to adopt divisive attitudes or confrontations in achieving their goals, advising them to find a way of forming consensus.

“We have to make sure we always cooperate to help ourselves. We must not always see things as conflicts at all times.” 

“My brothers and sisters, another election circle is coming. We don’t have to go for elective positions to be relevant in politics.

“Let us all play our part. Let us lend our voices to candidates. Let us support candidates who will not fail. Let’s support candidates that will help us achieve all that we want,” she said.”

The Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Professor Ishaq Oloyede in his lecture urged Muslims to propel the Ummah to greater heights as well as prioritise the education of youths and moral rebirth.

Professor Oloyede who was represented by Dr AbdulWahab Oyedokun said it was imperative to examine the socio-political balance sheet of Nigeria with a view to determining the role expected of Muslims in the continual reconstruction of the society.

He said that the nation was beset with a number of challenges that are traceable to poor social engineering as a result of a breakdown of family values.

“We must strengthen our capacity for managing ideological differences. Those of us in government and public service at both the centre and sub-national levels must re-dedicate ourselves to the plight of masses”.

“We must invest in Islamic schools, be dedicated to reducing poverty and social exclusion of Muslims among others”.

“We owe ourselves the primary obligation of self-appraisal. As Allah’s creatures, it is important to make a critical evaluation of our life’s journey; to ask ourselves questions whether we are actually on course”.

Retired Commissioner of Police, Dr Olayinka Balogun in his lecture entitled “Prevalence of Insecurity in Nigeria and Its Effect on Human Conduct”, said the absence of good governance can perpetuate or cause multidimensional insecurity problems.

He listed causes of insecurity as weak and incapable government, corruption, politics of hatred, unemployment, general discrimination, Impunity as well as the breakdown of traditional institutions.

Dr Balogun said there was the need for the people to rise and ask people in authority to do the needful.

“We have worshipped and obeyed the government, let there arise amongst you now to advise, call on, admonish those in authority to fight corruption, lethargy and open audacity”. 

“They should teach deterrence, punish impunities and openly admonish. That is how to fight and curb insecurity, food, life, employment, freedom of movement as well as association,” he said.

Earlier, Barrister Qaasim Odedeji, the Amir/Coordinator, MSSN B-Zone, cautioned those authorities and individuals especially religious bigots who use their positions to infringe on the fundamental rights of Muslim students.

“I want to say that the purported ban will not stay as we will do everything possible to fight against it. We, therefore, identify with the position of MSSN FUNAAB Branch on the issue”.

“And warn that nobody should dare touch any of our sisters in Hijab, and Niqab as anybody doing so will earn the wrath of Muslim students across Nigeria,” he said.

Ridwan Fasasi

Religion

Muslim Media Practitioners Demand National Holiday For Islamic New Year

By Web News 733

Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, MMPN, has reiterated its call on the Federal government to declare Muharram 1, the first day of the Islamic Hijrah Calendar 1443 A.H, as a public holiday.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja by the National President of MMPN, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun to commemorate the new Islamic year. 

He said such a declaration of national holiday to mark the new Islamic year would be in the interest of fairness as benefitted by the Christian brethren on every January 1.

Alhaji Balogun  called on the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, to enter into dialogue with the Federal Government to ensure that Muharram first which is the right of Muslims is observed on the issue.

He, however, commended state governors who had declared public holiday for Islamic New Year especially in the Northern part of the country as well as Oyo and Osun states in South West, urging others to emulate their colleagues.

Alhaji Balogun implored government at various levels to recognise the Hijrah calendar and use it side by side with the Gregorian calendar in line with the country status as a multi-religious state.

He congratulated Muslims and non-Muslims alike for witnessing another new Islamic year and urged them to reflect on their deeds and activities during the past year.

The MMPN President enjoined Muslims to use the opportunity of the New Year to migrate from their evil ways in the past to renew their commitments in the New Year and pray to Allah to end the scourge of Covid-19 pandemic which has ravaged the world and insecurity challenges in Nigeria.

He implored Muslims to rededicate themselves to the cause of building an egalitarian society and join hands with other Nigerians in moving the nation forward.

Alhaji Balogun described series of attacks on innocent Nigerians by some insurgency groups as un-Islamic and pleaded with the concerned groups to cease fire and stop violence as a demonstration of its readiness to embrace peace.

He equally called for a stringent legislation against rapists in the country, saying it was getting too rampant because most culprits usually get away with it. 

Ridwan Fasasi

Religion

Let’s support Governor Makinde to succeed – Shaikh Busairi

By Web News 774

The Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Oyo State chapter, Shaikh Salaudeen Busairi, has urged religious leaders in the state not to destroy the existing peace in the state because of their selfish gains.

He stated this during a courtesy visit paid by the Council to the Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Islamic Affairs, Imam Abdul Rasheed Abdul-Azeez in Ibadan.

Shaikh Busairi said that Governor Makinde has never been found wanting in maintaining good relationship with Muslims, even though he is a Christian, admonishing religious leaders not to allow religious sentiment to separate them.

He added that there should be mutual cooperation among all religions in the state and appealed to some elders who he said always hide under the canopy of religion to fan embers of discord among Muslims to have a re-think.

Shaikh Busairi commended Governor Makinde for declaring Public Holiday on, Hijirah, an Islamic calendar year and for celebrating the Maolud Nabiy as governor of the state.

In a remark, the Special Assistant to Governor Makinde on Islamic Affairs, Imam Abdulrasheed Abdul-Azeez solicited the support of all religious leaders to join hands in moving the state forward.

Iyabo Adebisi

Religion

Eid al-Adha: Sultan Congratulates Muslims, Urges Adherence to Protocol

By Web News 838

Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who is also the President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, has congratulated the Muslim faithful on the occasion of Eid al-Adha celebration.

This is contained in a Press Release signed by the Deputy Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Prof. Salisu Shehu.

The statement also tasks the faithful on the need to adhere to the established protocol in view of coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world.

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Religion

Covid-19: Ekiti Mosques won’t re-open for now – Islamic Clerics

By Web News 792

Muslims in Ekiti State have resolved not to re-open mosques for religious activities.

The decision was reached at a meeting convened by the League of Imams and Alfas and the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Ekiti State, held in Ado-Ekiti.

In a statement, the President, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Yakubu Sanni said the meeting was held to give the report of the conditions for re-opening of Mosques in the state as laid down by the state government.

According to Alhaji Sanni, it was agreed that mosques would not be opened as some of the conditions laid down by the state government could not be met within the stipulated time frame of July 17 pronounced by Governor Kayode Fayemi during his recent broadcast.

He explained that they resolved to hold on for a while in preparations to meet the conditions laid down.

The body however lauded the state government for the steps taken to safeguard the lives of worshippers in Ekiti State against the COVID-19.

The Muslims leaders urged the faithful to continue pray against the pandemic.

Amos Ogunrinde