By Rasheed Animasaun
The leadership of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Coca Cola Oyo State Branch recently laid a foundation stone for the construction of a new mosque at Idi-Obi Area, Eruwa Road, Ibadan Oyo State.
After the recitation from the glorious Qur’an and chanting of Qaseedah, an Arabic poem written by the holy founder of Ahmadiyya Community in praise of Holy Prophet Muhammad, the branch president Alh. Morenikeji AbdusSemih in his opening remarks gratified the benevolence of Allah the Almighty, adding that “we are thankful alone to Allah for the grace of laying another mosque foundation especially in this area.” He mentioned that it is a promise of Allah to bless everyone involved in his work with utmost sincerity and dedication.
While giving insight to how the land was acquired, Alhaji F.O AbdusSalam, immediate past Branch president mentioned that the land was a donation by Alh. Zakariyyah Busari an elder in the community. He mentioned that the preaching efforts of the Muslim community around Abiose and environs and the foresight of the Jama’at to be established facilitated the contact with Alh. Busari who also later became an Ahmadi Muslim. The donor since then started aligning himself with the community’s activities, sent his child to study at Ahmadiyya School and today the son is an active member of Ahmadiyya Muslim Student Association (AMSA) in his institution on Osun State.
In his closing remarks, the central missionary of the Branch Maulvi Nadeem Ahmad Waseem elucidated that building of mosque is one of the most important aspects of Islam. “Mosque is an abode of peace and tranquility, Allah shall reward whoever participates in the construction of mosque with a house in paradise.” he said.
“It is our duty as Ahmadi Muslims to spread the message of Islam to the nooks and crannies of the world. We thank Allah that today we are also witnessing a manifestation of the prophecy revealed to the holy foumder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at ‘I shall cause thy message to the reach the corners of the earth’ he added. The Ahmadiyya central imam thanked the donor of the land and commended the efforts of the members whose efforts in preaching resulted to the acquisition of the land, adding that only Allah would reward their sacrifices in this life as well as in the hereafter as this is His promise which he never fails.
VISIT TO ONIDO OF IDO
In the same development, the leadership of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jam’at paid a courtesy visit to the Onido of Ido, Oba Muritala Gbolagade Babalola Gbadewolu I at his palace.
The visit was aimed at paying homage to the monarch in respect to the laying of mosque foundation in Idi Obi, a village under his control.
The central missionary appreciated the king for his warmth welcome as he did when he came alone to the palace not long ago. He gave a word of admonitions from the glorious Qur’an which were drawn from Chapter 61 of the glorious Qur’an (As-Saff – The Ranks) emphasizing the reward for recognizing the powers of Almighty Allah and as well striving to sacrifice in his cause.
In his response, the king, appreciated the delegation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for the visit. He extended his warmth welcome to the central missionary who also came with his family. The king as well acknowledged the meritorious religious and humanitarian services of the entire Ahmadiyyat Muslim community. He also appreciated Allah and the Islamic group for the mosque foundation and prayed for successful completion and many more in his domain.
“Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is not a group obsessed with worldly desire, instead they are well organized and are spreading the peaceful message of Islam everywhere,” he said.
