Members of the Majlis Ansarullah Ahmadiyya Nigeria (Elders Forum of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community) have been charged to continually preach, uphold and display the beautiful teachings of Islam, thereby becoming change agents for a new Nigeria.
The Amir (National President) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaj (Barr.) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez gave the admonition at the 21st Annual National Workshop of the Elders Forum held at the Jamia Ahmadiyya, Owode Road, Ilaro, Ogun State.
Barrister Alatoye who expressed his displeasure over the state of affairs in the country in respect to moral decadence and human degradation believed members of the Muslim organization, especially the elderly ones have a huge role to play, to right all the wrongs in the country, starting from the home front.
He requested the elderly members to set the ball rolling by taking proper care of the family members’ needed provisions – food, clothing, and shelter, thereby building a solid family structure and by extension building a sane society devoid of social ills. The Amir emphasized on the need for the members to reform themselves internally and change the value system before striving to reform the society.
“The annual workshop is an avenue to reinvigorate and reposition ourselves morally and materially, going forward. As elderly members of the Jama’at, we have a huge role to play for a better Nigeria. Remember we are the fathers to the mothers, youths, and children. We cannot vindicate ourselves from the social vices in the country. We must all wake up from our slumber and change the history of the country.
“As fathers, we should overlook so many things as long as they do not violate Islamic principles. I receive whole lot of complaints on fathers and these are disheartening and pathetic. Let us display good behaviours to our family members, especially our wives. Our behaviours should be exemplary to others. Let us live above board.
“As Ahmadis, let us start a process of value change through the seeking of Allah’s assistance. We should take a lead in reforming society. So many people have lost faith in the Country. As Ahmadi Muslims, we should never lose faith. We should work, preach and pray for our leaders so that there will be value change. It is not by physical force but through moral and spiritual force. Escalating immoral and violent acts through religious and ethnic lines should be totally discouraged.
“Meanwhile, we do not have a monopoly of claiming superiority over others. We are all equal before Almighty God. On the overall, members of Majlis Ansarullah stand at a very strategic position to change the course of happenings in the country positively.”
Transition to Eternal Life: Islamic Perspective
Maulvi Abdus Samad Awwal who delivered the theme lecture: Transition to Eternal Life: Islamic Perspective emphasized that members should be more concerned about the hereafter rather than mundane affairs which are ephemeral in nature; hence the need to commence the cleansing of our hearts and souls.
“Our souls are our most precious possessions. Therefore, we should cherish and care for them more than any other possession. It is only part of us that does not remain in this world after death; everything else remains, only our souls, which dwell within us, enter into the life to come. It is clear therefore that our greatest concern and interest in this life should be the purification of our souls.”
Be Alive to your Responsibilities – Adeoye
Welcoming participants to the three-day program, the leader of the elders’ forum, Alhaji (Engr.) Abdul Waheed Adeoye urged members to be conscious of the onerous and challenging responsibilities before them as members of the elders’ forum.
He stated that the roles of the elderly within the family, society and the country at large cannot be over-emphasized. He admonished members to be good ambassadors of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in their respective domains.
Other Thought-Provoking Lectures
Some of the other lectures also delivered were: “The Holy Prophet (SAW) and the Institution of solat” by Muallim (Barr.) Mutiullah Akinsanya; “Darsul-Quran: Transition to Eternal Life in Relation to the Verse” by Mr. Adewale AbdurRahman; “Man is Mortal” by Magistrate Mudathir Maruf; “Will Making in Islam” by Dr. AbdulMajeed Hassan-Bello, the National President Qadha Board (Arbitration Committee); and “Lessons from the Companions of the Promised Messiah(as) with particular reference to Maulana Abdur Raheem Nayyar” by Barr. Muhammad Rizwan.
There were also Health Talks on “Prostate Gland and its complications” by Dr. Saliu AbdulWaid Niran; and “Viral Haemorrhagic Diseases with Particular Reference to Lassa Fever and Ebola Viral Disease” by Dr. Taofeek Adedayo Sanni.
Other dignitaries that attended the event include: “The Naib Amir (Deputy National President), Finance and Administration, Alhaji Mufadhil Bankole; Naib Amir Tabligh and Tajneed (Preaching and Census), Dr. Abdul Lateef Busari; Naib Amir Ta’lim and Tarbiyyat (Educational and Moral Training), Alhaji Tajudeen Onabanjo; Rtd. General Seidu Balogun (former Governor, Ogun State); former Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji Hussein Sunmonu; and the General Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji Abbas O. Iromini.
About 700 members of the body across the country attended the workshop.
