General News
AN Islamic Cleric and Instructor, Alhaji Abdul-Fatai Raji, on Tuesday said lack of the fear of God remained the root cause of the social-economic and security challenges in Nigeria.
Raji disclosed this while delivering a lecture at the 15th Annual Ramadan Lecture of the Abdulwahid Islamic Foundation, with the theme: “Dealing With Difficult Times”.
The cleric, popularly known as the initiator of Science in Holy Qur’an, said that if Nigerian leaders and followers would fear God in decision-making processes, there would be ease and peace in the country.
“The fear of God is a common responsibility for those in government and we, who they are governing, the lack of the fear of God is the root cause of the difficult times we are in.
“If one goes abroad, one will discover that they have the fear God, all the resources God endows their land with are shared for the common good, for the growth and development of their land.
“No wonder they have access to good transportation, good food, health care, shelter because their leaders fear God in all dealings.
“There is none without food except those that choose to go hungry, there is none without a shelter except you don’t want it.
“So, they shared resources for the well-being and security of lives and property.
“If those in positions of authority can do same here and we have good roads, electricity and pipe borne water, there will be peace and harmony,” Raji said.
According to him, any nation where these are lacking, there will be not be peace and where peace is lacking, there will be no development and progress.
Calling on Nigerians especially the leaders of the people to fear God, Raji urged the foundation to keep at doing good as part of its quota to better the society.
Corroborating, another Islamic cleric, Al-lmam Abdusemiu Ajani, the Chief lmam and Head of Chaplaincy, Islamic Education and Faith Initiative, said that nation building demands the collective effort of everyone.
“We need to support the government. We need to support them with our prayers,” Ajani said.
He advised all Muslim women, who turned out en-masse for the lecture, to prepare their girl-child for marital challenges.
Ajani, who prayed for the nation, added that women of Islam faith in the southwest were not doing enough in this aspect.
“We need to change the narrative. We need to give our girl-child the best value of Islam.
“The best is to prepare them ahead, give them the lesson about tenacity, about submissiveness, about patience, about being faithful to their God.
Also speaking, the Grand Patron of the foundation, Fadeelatus Shaykh Abdur-Rofi’l Awwal, stated the importance of prayer in the life of a nation.
Considering the current economic hardship in the nation, Awela said that the giving of ‘zakat’ was fast fading away in Islam.
“It needs to be restored as it targets equitable distribution of wealth in every community of man,” he said
Imam Toliat Muhammadu Mutador the Chief Imam of Agboyi Road Muslims in Agboyi Ketu, commended the foundation for being there for the people at all times.
“We pray that God should continually uplift them because they have been of immense benefit to the people. With this kind of foundation Islam will surely go higher”.
The host, Mr Abdulwaheed Odunuga, said that the foundation would be empowering 21 muslim praying groups with cash grants to cushion the effects of the hard times.
Odunuga said that 21 Islamic groups had been empowered with 200,000 naira each by the foundation, in commemoration of its 15th Annual Ramadan Lecture series.
He said that the gesture was an alternative to the usual sharing of food stuffs to participants at the annual event.
Odunuga recounted how a particular individual who is a member of a Muslim community in Agboyi Ketu borrowed 20,000 naira from LAPO Micro Finance Bank and could not pay back as and when due, became an embarrassment.
“The fund we have availed the Muslim communities is to help whoever needs money, such should be assisted, and we look forward to say in next the three month, it should have increased to 500,000 naira through the contributions of well-meaning members,” he said.
Odunuga added that the said fund was made possible through the financial assistance by Sharaphdeen Idowu, a barrister and Principal Partner, Braintree Solicitors; the Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Development, Mr Yacoob Alebiosu ( Dayo Bush) and Mayor Dele Oshinowo, the Chairman Agboyi Ketu LCDA.
Others who donated, according to him, include Mr Samuel Adebayo, the President of Succour Foundation and Mr Olalekan Mutiu , MD , Bratetek Nig Ltd, among others. (NAN)
27th March, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: Alhaji Abdul-Fatai Raji
