…Recession is a test from Allah— Adebule
…Don’t be Ramadan Muslim — Hafiz Bakare, Ag MD, Keystone Bank
The President, Nasrul-lahi-l-Fatih Society, Engr Kamil Bolarinwa has charged Muslims in the country on love, care and peaceful coexistence with neighbours irrespective of religious affiliation, adding that goodness and other virtues enjoined by Allah in the month of Ramadan are not only limited to the glorious month.
Bolarinwa who stated this while speaking with journalists at the annual Ramadan lecture held at the Blue Roof, Radio House, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, recently disclosed the association’s preparedness to provide Iftar and Sahur for lots of Muslims within Lagos.
Two eminent scholars delivered lectures at the event attended by largely members of the society from different parts of the country. Dr. Saheed Timehin, Department of Foreign Languages, LASU, delivered lecture on “Peaceful Co-existence in Nigeria: The Roles of Muslims and Islam” while Alhaji Abdullahi Agbonmagbe delivered second lecture on Economic Recession: “Islamic Panacea to survival”
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According to Bolarinwa: “Our religion preaches peace and there are various injunctions about peace in the Quran. The Prophet said, “the best among you is the he who wants the best for his neighbour. This goes to show that we must live peacefully with our neighbours.
“One of the lessons of Ramadan is that you share part of what you have with others. We are talking about recession in this country, yet some people have so much and refuse to share. If you share, the effect of the recession will be minimal. On our own, from today, the first of Ramadan, we are going to feed as much people as we can find till the last day of Ramadan. During Itikaf, in the last ten days of the month, we will be doing two meals (sahur and Iftar).
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We urge Muslims to abstain from bad behaviour, show love and care to your neighbours because our behaviour is a reflection of our religion because most people see Islam through our behaviours.
Also, speaking on the resignation of the Chief Missioner, Shiekh Abdullah Akinbode, the President said: “It is not about one person. When the Prophet died (s.a.w) those who worshiped him were told that he had died, but those who worshiped Allah were told Allah is still there for them. So, nothing will change if we are real Muslims. Our spiritual direction remains the same. Our society is not a must, it is an Islamic society and it is not a one man show whether in administrative or spiritual capacity, it is a collective responsibility and collective focus. So, if one person leaves, it will not change the focus.
Meanwhile, the Deputy governor of Lagos State, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule has said that steadfastness, patience and prudent management of resources would help Muslim families to navigate out of the recession in the country especially during this month of Ramadan.
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Dr Adebule who was represented by Alhaja Fatima Oyefeso at the event stated that Muslim should consider this trying period a test from Allah and be more faithful and steadfast in their relationship with Allah. “This is a test from Allah, we should be steadfast, patient and trust in Allah.”
In the same vein, the National Women Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Samiat Omolara Mumuni, advised women against spending much of time in the kitchen, adding that “Time is of great essence, mothers have to manage their time very well during the period of fasting so as to have ample time for Quran recitation, lectures and other acts of worship during the month.”
She implored women to show more spiritual development, contentment and be prudent in order to overcome the economic recession. “Apart from being more spiritual and more prudent in our spending, we should engage in trades or engage in income generating activities.
The chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Hafiz Bakare, Acting Managing Director of Keystone Bank also advised Muslims to be decent and be role models at all times. “We should not remain Ramadan Muslims, we should continue all the good deeds even after Ramadan.
On the dwindling economy, Bakare reiterated the need for diversification adding that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
He urged Nigerians to be good followers irrespective of religion and ethnic prejudice, adding that for the society to prosper, followers needed to be decent individuals.
