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ALHAJI ABDULAZEEZ ALATOYE APPOINTED AS NEW AMIR, AHMADIYYA MUSLIM JAMA’AT NIGERIA (UPDATED)

By
Nurudeen Akinreti
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12

The Supreme Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at worldwide Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (May Almighty Allah be His helper) has appointed Alhaji (Barr.) AbdulAzeez Alatoye as the new Amir (National Head) of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria.

This was contained in a release signed by the General Secretary of the Muslim Organization, Alhaji Abbas Iromini and made available to our correspondent. Alhaji Alatoye was hitherto the Naib Amir (Deputy National Head) South West region. He succeeds Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola who has been serving in that capacity for the past 15 years.

It will be recalled that the organization held its annual national forum (Majlis Shoora) last month at Tahir Mosque Ojokoro Lagos where representatives across the country participated in the National Executive Officers’ elections.

Alhaji Alatoye, alongside with the newly approved members of the National Executive Committee will resume office on July 1, 2019.

Brief Profile of the New Amir
Born on the 13th of February, 1963, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Folorunso Alatoye had his tertiary education at the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin where he bagged Unique Distinction in Accountancy in 1991. He obtained a Diploma in Law from the Executive Business School, Ikeja Lagos in 2011 and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Bradford, the United Kingdom in 2012.

Professionally, he is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK); a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN); Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and a Member of Nigeria Taxation Standard Board and Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Management.

He is the Founder and Senior Partner of Ascension Consulting Services.

His Journey in the Jama’at
Alhaji Alatoye joined the Ahmadiyya Community through the maternal grandfather biat in 1975. In 1981, he personally signed the biat. Since then, he has been holding sensitive posts within the Jamaat. For instance, he was the Tabligh Secretary between 1982 and 1985 and Financial Secretary between 1985 and 1989 of Inisa Jamaat Osun State. At the auxiliary level, he held the post of an Internal Auditor of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Nigeria (Youth Wing) between 1988 and 1990.

At the National Level, Alhaji Alatoye was appointed as the Naib Jalsa Officer II (Deputy Conference Officer II) between 2009 and 2019; Naib Amir South West region (2013-2019); Treasurer (2010-2019); Vice Chairman Humanity First Nigeria (2011-2019); Chairman Sad Sala Jubilee Committee (2016-2019); Chairman South West Mosque Building Trust Fund Committee (2016-2019); Chairman Economic Empowerment and Development Committee (2014-2019), among others.

His areas of interest include Tabligh (Preaching), Holy Qur’an and Mosque Building. He is an advocate of honest service to Almighty Allah and Humanity.

NAMES AND PORTFOLIOS OF THE NEWLY APPROVED NATIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

S/N. NAME POST
Alhaji AbdulAzeez Alatoye National Amir (Head)
Alhaji Abbas O. Iromini General Secretary
Barr. Muhammad Bashir Badr Secretary Tabligh (Preaching)
Alhaj. M.M. Shittu Secretary Tarbiyat (Religious & Moral Training)
Mr. Tajudeen Oladoja Secretary Ta’lim (Education)
Alhaji Mudathir Dada Secretary Isha’at (Publication)
Engr. Imran Adeyemi Secretary Sami’ wa Basari (Audio-Video)
Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu Secretary Umur Kharijiyyah (External Affairs)
Alhaji Muslihu Ali Secretary Umur Amma (General Affairs)
Mr. Abdul Rahman Adetunji Secretary Dhiyyafat (Hospitality)
Mr. Mudathir Adefarati Secretary Mal (Finance)
Alhaji Dauda Kehinde Sokunbi Add. Secretary Mal (Finance)
Mr. Shakirudeen Abdus Salam Secretary Wasaya (Wills)
Mr. Abdul-Hakeem Akintobi Secretary Ta’limul-Quran & Waqf-Ardhi
Mr.Nafiu Taiwo Ajimoti Secretary Tahrik-Jadid
Mr. Abdul Ganiy Babalola Secretary Waqf-Jadid
Mr. Muhammad Tirmiziy Ajibike Addl. Secretary Waqf-Jadid & Nau Muba’in (For New Converts)
Builder Bashirudeen Asimiyu Towolawi Secretary Jaidad (Properties)
Alhaji Muslihudeen Ademoye Secretary Waqf-Nau
Prof. Abdur Rahman Abdullah Secretary Zira’at (Agriculture)
Mr. B.O. Ghazal Secretary Sanat-o-Tijarat (Industry and Trade)
Mr. Issa A. Shokunbi Muhassib (Accountant)
Alhaji Muheeb Lanre Idris Amin [Treasurer]
Mr. Hussein King Internal Auditor

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Nigeria Statement on Nigeria @ 61

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admin
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The entire members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria thank Almighty Allah for the survival of Nigeria as a country and its people to date. We rejoice with Nigerians home and abroad on the celebration of the 61st independence anniversary.

The Jama’at salutes the fighting spirits of Nigerians in the face of daunting challenges in the socio-economic, political and technological spheres. Let me make it abundantly clear that Islam as a religion has no room for terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, the ritual killing of human being, extortion of any kind or any act of wickedness against another fellow human being especially the aged, women and children.

It is rather regrettable that despite the abundance human and material resources at our disposal, the country is wallowing in abject poverty, unemployment and under development due to lack of value system. Accordingly, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria urge Nigerians and government to renew our faith in the unity of purpose, peaceful coexistence and progress of the country.

Pointedly, we are calling for political solutions to all agitations from contending groups. We believe if there is justice devoid of pretence and deceits, we are stronger as a country than smaller units. We advise our President, General Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, as a father for all to call all leaders of the agitators, some opinion leaders and leading traditional rulers to a crucial meeting to fashion the best peaceful and meaningful way forward. This needs to be done as urgently as possible.

The Jama’at is equally worried over political developments in the country towards the build up to the 2023 general elections especially assassinations and attempted assassinations. We call on political parties to resolve their differences through an internal resolution mechanism. Politics should be taken as service to the people and not as a business of seizing power to make money through do-or-die means.

Specifically, we advise that the electoral law under review should be looked at from transparent, reliable and beneficial ways. We join the call for the electronic transmission of election results in the interest of fair play and the best utilization of technology.

The Jama’at noticed the spirited efforts of the government to tackle insecurity across the land. We believe the perpetrators of evil and crimes against humanity must be named, shamed, and face the wrath of the law.
We pray fervently for a new order and more prosperous years ahead for Nigeria.

Signed

Alatoye Folorunso Azeez
Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Nigeria

AHMADIYYA CONTINUES TO RECORD GIANT STRIDES FOR ISLAM AS WORLD KHALIFA OF THE COMMUNITY GIVES 2021 ANNUAL GLOBAL REPORT OF ACHIEVEMENTS

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The Khalifatul Masih V and Supreme World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) has delivered a faith-inspiring address in which his holiness reported the annual progress and achievements of the Community on August 7th, the second day of the ongoing Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) UK 2021.

At around 5pm, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V (aa) arrived at the main Jalsa Gah (Convention ground) mounted the podium and conveyed his salaam to everyone. He then delivered his historic address where he highlighted the milestones of the global achievements recorded by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Addressing the thousands of members of the Community at the convention, his holiness said, ‘in this session, I usually recount some of the blessings of Allah the Exalted upon the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, that we see and experience throughout the year. Despite only summaries being prepared of these blessings, I will only be able to present a portion of some of the facts and figures.

Establishment of new Chapters [Jamaats]:

By the grace of Allah the Exalted, this year, apart from Pakistan, 403 new chapters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community were established. In addition to these new Jamaats, the seed of Ahmadiyyat was planted in 829 locations for the first time, which means that a few or a couple of Ahmadis have entered the Jamaat in those locations. Nigeria is on top of the list of those countries where new Jamaats have been established. There, 89 new Jamaats have been established over the past years. Then, there are other countries of Africa and Europe.

With relation to incidents of the establishment of new Jamaats, the missionary-in-charge of São Tomé reports that only three Islands of the country of São Tomé are inhabited. Jamaats have been established in the Islands of São Tomé and Príncipe and mosques have also been constructed there. By the Grace of Allah, this year, the Jamaat was also established on the third Island by the grace of Allah. Our missionaries went there. They preached and as a result of their preaching, ten Christians converted to Islam Ahmadiyyat. It is a small island with a population of less than a hundred.

The missionary in Tanzania writes that some of our missionaries went to one of the villages of the country and they preached and propagated the faith. The people in the locality listened to the message of the Community very attentively and 60 people entered the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Upon this, the local imam phoned them and said that your people are coming here and creating disorder and people from amongst my community are entering the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The imam started arguing with the local Ahmadi missionary and he said, what are you doing, trying to convert people from my locality? Because of course, the Muslim clerics are always concerned about losing their people as they earn their bread through those people. So, our Ahmadi missionary started preaching to that imam. As a result of the debate with the local imam, the people gathered there and started listening to the debate and thirty further people entered into the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. That Sunni imam is sitting in his mosque idle because only a handful of people come to his mosque, whereas hundred or close to hundred people have formed a new chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on that area and the nizam of the Community is established.

In Guinea Conakry, the clerics of the Islamic League had threatened the local people of a village with regard to Ahmadis, saying that Ahmadis were disbelievers, God forbid. They said that Ahmadis did not have any relation with Islam and so people should not listen to them. However, when the message of the Promised Messiah (as) was preached to them and they were told of the prophecies related to the Latter-Day Messiah and Imam Mahdi, the entire village along with the local imam accepted Ahmadiyyat. The system of the Jamaat has now been established there. However the clerics of the Islamic organisation kept threatening the local villagers, they said that they had found new pleasure in their prayers, which they were unaware of before accepting Ahmadiyyat and that they would remain steadfast on this path.

Establishment of new Mosques:

In terms of the establishment of new mosques, which includes mosques that the Jamaat constructed as well as those that came into the possession of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community during the year, their number is 211. Ghana is on top of the list with most mosques being constructed there. Then, there are also other countries.

In Belize, the first Ahmadiyya mosque has been constructed, which spans over an area of two acres and has a capacity of 220 worshippers. Its foundation was laid in December 2019. It is a very beautiful mosque. It has a mission house, the missionary’s office, a library as well as a guest room. There are two highways that go out from Belize City, one going towards Mexico and the other one towards Guatemala. This Noor Mosque is located on the highway that goes towards Guatemala. It is located at a distance of two miles from the city’s centre. After the mosque in Guatemala, this is the second purpose-built mosque of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Central America. For the construction of this mosque, three brothers from Canada went there to volunteer. They also participated considerably in the construction of another mosque in Canada. These are Mansoor Sahib, Manzoor Sahib, Fareed Sahib and Mudassir Sahib. In any case, they went to Belize and worked towards the construction of the mosque. At first, the construction was estimated to cost 2.5 million US dollars. In the end, it only cost 125,000 US dollars as a result of these voluteers’ efforts. The local people also offered significant sacrifices for this project.

In Zion, in the United States of America, there was a plan to construct a monument. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Zion wanted to make a monument with relation to the prophecy of the Promised Messiah (as). Ten acres of land was purchased about two years ago and there is a plan to construct a mosque, an exhibition hall and so on. It was estimated that it would cost $4 million and with the grace of Allah, this amount was collected. The women of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the United States of America contributed about $1.7 million. And they said that they would give this amount. It is quite a large mosque. The land is about 6,000 square feet. There are different floors for men and women and different halls. This will be the first mosque in the City of Zion. Then an exhibition hall will also be built. The prophecy of the Promised Messiah (as) will also be shown on screens in this exhibition hall. There is also a minaret being made in the same fashion as the Minarat-ul-Masih in Qadian. This is quite a large project being done by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA. May Allah the Exalted enable them to rapidly complete it.

Establishment of Mission Houses and Centres of Tabligh:

By the Grace of Allah the Exalted, there has been an increase of 123 new mission houses and preaching centres. Ghana is on top of the list of those countries where most of the mission houses have been established. Then, there are also other countries of Africa, Europe and also parts of Russia.

 

In a Macedonian city, the first Ahmadiyya mission house, Baitul Ahad, has been constructed. It is now complete. For the foundation stone ceremony, a brick from Qadian was brought over and I sent it to them after praying over it. This is a three-story centre. There is a kitchen. There is a prayer room, a place for ablution, a store and there are many other facilities. There is also a place for a caretaker to stay. On the second story, there is a mosque area. Men and women have separate places to pray and there is also a separate place for women for ablution. Then, on the third story, there is a missionary’s residence and office. This is also a very beautiful building that has been constructed.

Raqeem Press:

Then there is the Raqeem Press. Printing work is also bring undertaken in certain African countries. By the grace of Allah, they are doing good work. More than 350.000 books have been printed through the press that is in Farnham. Leaflets and pamphlets are in addition to this number.

Wakalat-e-Tasnif:

According to Wakalat-e-Tasneef, the Italian translation of the Holy Quran has been revised. The Italian Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has done a lot of work in this regard. Moreover, there are different translations of the Holy Quran. Various books of the Promised Messiah (as) have also been published by them such as The Holy War, Hallmarks of the Saints and Testimony of the Holy Quran etc. Some books are also being revised by them. There are books of the Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) that are being translated and will be published this year. Likewise, there is Chinese literature. The late Usman Chou Sahib also prepared a book during his lifetime which is being published.

Ruhani Khazain, the books of the Promised Messiah (as) are being published in beautiful print. The printing of these 23 volumes is excellent. They are well-made, yet inexpensive. You can contact the bookstore here or the department of publications and obtain these books.

There are also incidents of conversion upon reading the books of the Promised Messiah (as). For example, the missionary from Australia writes that a young Australian had been learning about Ahmadiyyat for a year. We gave him The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, about which, after just a few days of reading, he said that this had astonished him and left him completely amazed. He said that the different natural and moral states, as explained by the Promised Messiah (as), is something that he could never have imagined. He said that he could have finished this book in one day but the themes and topics were so profound that sometimes he had to read a page repeatedly and that the book helped him become a better human being.

Wakalat-e-Ishaat:

According to reports from 92 countries, 384 different books and pamphlets in 39 languages were published to the number of 3.68 million copies. This includes Arabic, Bangla, German, Indonesian, Swahili and so many other languages.

Wakalat-e-Ishaat Tarseel:

This is the department of distribution in publications, for they are responsible for the dissemination of the publications. According to their report, books were sent to different countries and they number over 75,000. Then, there is other literature that is also sent. In 90 countries of the world, more than 591 libraries and regional libraries were established. Books are sent from London and Qadian. A lot of literature is also published from Qadian.

Exhibitions, Bookstalls & Book fairs:

According to the reports, some 200,000 people attended around 1,970 exhibitions and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community participated in 2,743 book fairs last year or bookstalls were held.

At a prominent book fair in India, a Nepalese individual came and he said that previously he had considered Islam a distasteful religion but when he came to learn about Islam from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community at the book fair, it completely changed his mind and he said that Islam actually gives peaceful teachings and this is a message that needs to be conveyed to other people too so that they come to know the reality of Islam. Only the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is truly conveying the peaceful message of Islam.

Distribution of Leaflets:

6.9 million leaflets were distributed in 103 countries and through them, the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat reached more than 10 million people. Germany is on top of the list of the countries, which distributed most of the leaflets. Then comes the UK and other countries.

A missionary from Tanzania writes that there was a lot of opposition in a village and it is very difficult to preach, but we went there and we distributed the new leaflets and the next day an individual called us. He invited us to come to their village and tell them more about Ahmadiyyat. So, we went there and preached and five people converted and accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat. In this way, by the Grace of Almighty Allah, where we thought it was difficult to preach, through the means of leaflets, Allah gave us five bai’ats.

Central Desks:

Huzoor (aa) then briefly mentioned some of the efforts made by the various central Desks of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which include the Arabic Desk, Russian Desk, French Desk, Bangla Desk, Chinese Desk, Indonesian Desk, Turkish Desk, Swahili Desk and Spanish Desk that are propagating the message of Islam to the speakers of their respective languages by translating and publishing various kinds of literature, in addition to fulfiling other tasks assigned to them by the Jamaat such as the translation of the correspondence with Huzoor (aa).

Press & Media:

Then there is the Press and Media Office. By the grace of God Almighty, they too are carrying out very good work. They had 102 news and articles published in various newspapers. According to a conservative estimate, the message of Islam reached 20 million people through their efforts. They also had many programmes on television, and also met with many journalists during the year.

Alislam.org:

OpenQuran.com, the new search engine of the Holy Quran has been created by them, the second version of which is being inaugurated at this year’s Jalsa Salana. Then there is also the ReadQuran.app which has been created. There are numerous books available on the website; 316 in English, 1,000 in Urdu, 71 on other platforms such as Apple etc. They have also prepared 10 new audiobooks. Then there is other content published by them and they are doing a lot of work.

MTA International:

Then there is MTA International. By the grace of God, they have eight channels running 24/7. They have permanent staff and also many volunteers. They are doing simultaneous translations into 17 different languages.

There is also an MTA Ghana that has been established. On 15 January the digital channel, MTA Ghana was established. A lot of work is being done through MTA Ghana. It is also being viewed via antennas. Various TV channels take MTA programmes and show them on their TV channel.

Then, there is MTA Africa, which has increased in its scope quite considerably. There are two channels in various African languages, which are being broadcast. There are now 11 branches of MTA Africa. The Wahhab Adam studio was upgraded this year and the Gambia studio is also doing a lot of excellent work.

After watching programmes on MTA, by the grace of Allah, many people also convert to Islam Ahmadiyyat:

The missionary-in-charge Cameroon writes that 40 km from the capital there’s a small town where a person converted to Islam Ahmadiyyat. He informed us that for some time, he had been watching MTA through YouTube and he had learnt a lot about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He eventually became satisfied, that this Community is truthful and Hazrat Mirza Ghulam is the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi. One of his relatives who live in Ivory Coast, who is familiar with Ahmadis, informed me of the phone number of the Ahmadiyya missionary. Now, this person has converted along with his family and he regularly listens to the Friday sermon.

Ahmadiyya Radio Stations:

Right now, the radio stations of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community number 27. This includes 17 in Mali, four in Burkina Faso and three in Sierra Leone. Then, there are other countries that have one or two. There is a lot of work happening for tabligh or propagation through these stations. There is an Internet radio station in Turkish which has also been established, and they are doing good work.

This year, through 5,068 TV programmes we had one at 1,877 hours of airtime on other channels. Then, through the various Ahmadiyya radio stations in different countries, we had over 47,800 hours of programmes and over 10,000 programmes were broadcast. According to a conservative estimate, we conveyed the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat to 300 million people.

There are also faith-inspiring incidents of conversion as a result of these.

The missionary from Mali says that, whenever we speak with non-Ahmadis about Africa, they believe that as a result of a lack of knowledge people enter into the Ahmadiyya Community. This is an utter misconception. For example, in one of our regions, a short while ago, there was a teacher by the name of Zakaria who was able to accept Islam Ahmadiyyat. He is proficient in English and French. At the time of his conversion, he said that he had been listening to the Ahmadiyya radio for the last seven years and after studying Ahmadiyyat from every angle, it was only then that he decided to convert. He said, “Today the biggest reality is the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.”

Waqf-e-Nau:

Then, there is the Tehrik-e-Waqf-e-Nau department. By the grace of Allah, the number of waqifeen-e-nau is 75,522 worldwide. 41,697 of them are boys, while 33,825 are girls. The new waqifeen, who joined this year were 2,856. Over fifteen-year-olds are 34,622. 22,000 of the boys and 12,000 of the girls are over this age. Pakistan has the most waqifeen-e-nau, followed by Germany, UK, India and Canada.

Makhzan-e-Tasaweer:

This is the Central Photography Department. They preserve photographs and are doing good work.

The Review of Religions:

The Review of Religions magazine has been running for 119 years. The Promised Messiah (as) established it. This is being published monthly in English, every other month in German and French, quarterly in Spanish. In four different languages, every year, it prints almost 197,000 copies. During the year, over 250,000 people viewed the Review Religions’ website. Through Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, it reached 5,000,000 people. Through its YouTube channel, they have 87,000 subscribers and this year more than two million people viewed the videos.

By the Grace of Almighty Allah, they are doing a lot of work.
They are also publishing various booklets of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud, the second worldwide Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. They also organised the God Summit. They have a lot of positive outcomes and people were really impressed by it. The people who watched it gave a lot of excellent feedback. They said that now we have come to believe in the existence of God.

Al-Fazl International:

There is Al-Fazl International. From 27 May 2019, it has been printing twice a week. They publish my Friday Sermon and other content. By the grace of Allah, they are also progressing quite well. They are also reaching people through social media.

Bai’ats:

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic this year, although we were not able to preach in the open, Allah the Almighty has granted us 125,221 bai’ats, which is an increase of more than 13,000 from the last year. There are countries from across the globe, where conversions were achieved.

Ahmadiyya New Clinic in Kano Underway

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By Dr. Qasin Akinreti

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Nigeria has commenced the building of another Clinic in Kano for more improved health care services to the people of the State.

The foundation laying ceremony was performed by His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano, the Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria, and the representative of Kano state Governor, the Commissioner of Health at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at complex along Zaria Road opposite the Kano Economic City.

Once the new Clinic is completed, kano state will have three medical facilities and two schools for the overall benefit of the populace.

Historically, the Foundation stone of the first Ahmadiyya Clinic in Kano was laid by late Royal Highness Alhaji Ado Bayero on 28 Dec 1968. It has now been upgraded to Ahmadiyya Hospital Kano.

Before that, on 14 October 1967, Alhaji Aminu Kano; who was then the Federal Commissioner for Telecommunication visited Ahmadiyya Dispensary Apapa under the management of Retried Lt. Col Dr. M Y Shah described the activities of the Dispensary as “Wonderful work for humanity and peace.”

On 19 February 1974, His Excellency, Alhaji Audu Bako, the Executive Governor of Kano State laid the foundation of Ahmadiyya College in Kano when Maulana Ajmal Shaid was the Amir of Nigeria. He was present at the occasion.

This Secondary School has attracted many local and international awards to Kano through academic and sports laurels.

Ahmadiyya Understanding of Islam

The Amir, Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Nigeria, Barrister Alatoye Folorunso Azeez used the occasion to reiterate the essence of understanding Islam from the perspective of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to the effect of service to humanity in all ramifications.

He stated that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believed that Almighty Allah sends the Holy Prophet Muhammad as a mercy unto mankind. Therefore, in addition to upholding the five pillars of Islam and six articles of faith, a Muslim preoccupation is to be a mercy unto mankind by making life easier for them, to serve Allah in an atmosphere of peace. Accordingly, the Jamaat has a Non-Governmental Organization called Humanity First whose preoccupation include:

1. Global Health for all by building Hospitals and Clinics
2. Knowledge for All by building Schools
3. Orphanage Care
4. Water for life
5. Gift of Sight
6. Food security
7. Refugee Resettlement
8. Community Care; and
9. Disaster Relief.

He noted that Humanity First through the present Medical Director of Ahmadiyya Hospital Kano has treated thousands of people on the “Gift of Sight “ scheme free of charge.

Similarly, through the Principal of Ahmadiyya College Kano, Humanity First had sunk many boreholes in the suburb of Kano metropolis to provide drinkable water to those environments.

Barrister Alatoye equally said that the Founder of Ahmadiyya Community laid emphasis on Islam as a religion of peace, hence the current Khalifa, spiritual head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community globally is preoccupied with how the world will achieve global peace and has made several tours before the Covid 19.

Nigeria was one of the countries on the list before the outbreak, hence the visit was halted. His key message during the tours is how the world will embrace justice and peace and he has written many books on this.

The Amir appreciated the cordial relationship among the Palace, the Kano State at large, and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat for the realization of sustainable developments through the provisions of a Hospital, equipped with ultra-modern facilities, unique primary and secondary schools, and now a new clinic in Kano alone.

Both the Emir of Kano and the Kano state government equally appreciated the gestures of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Nigeria.

2021 EID-UL-ADHA MESSAGE OBEDIENCE TO THE WILL OF ALLAH – THE PEAK OF SACRIFICE

By
Nurudeen Akinreti
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Ashhadu anlaa ilaha illallah wahdahu laasharikalahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan Abduhu warasuluhu. Ama’bad fauzubilliahi minashaitaani rajeem, bismillahi Rahmani Raheem.

What is Eid-ul-Adha
Eid-ul-Adha is a “feast of sacrifice” or submission to the wishes or will of Allah celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul Hijja or the 12 Lunar month. It means total submission to what Allah wants or wishes or will or directs. It has two components. The smaller component is the sacrifice or killing of ram. This smaller one reminds us annually or points to a bigger sacrifice. The bigger sacrifice is the sacrifice of one wishes, will, passion, ego and pride for the wish of Allah which is very difficult. To surrender one’s disobedient tendencies, passion for greed or selfishness for the instructions of Allah is very difficult except for the righteous or God fearing.

Elements of Sacrifices
All praise belongs to Almighty Allah who has made us witness the 2021 Eid-ul-Adha or feast of sacrifice amidst various global and national challenges. This requires high level of spirit of obedience to Allah. Without spirit of respect, spirit of obedience would not work. Without spirit of humility, neither spirit of respect nor obedience will work. And without spirit of righteousness or godliness, one cannot be humble. These are essential components of sacrifice. You cannot offer acceptable sacrifice without been righteous. Allah will not accept it. It is not all sacrifices that Allah accept. In Suratul Maidah 5. 28 – Almighty Allah says that: ‘………….Allah accepts only from the righteous.”
اِنَّمَا یَتَقَبَّلُ اللّٰہُ مِنَ الۡمُتَّقِیۡنَ….

Origin of Eid-ul-Adha Sacrifice
Eid-ul-Adha or festival of Sacrifice commemorates the obedience of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and his son Hazrat Ismail(as) to the commandment of Allah. Hazrat Ibrahim(as) had a series of dreams in which he saw himself sacrificing his eldest son Ismail. He inferred that it was perhaps the will of God that he should sacrifice the life of his son.

Hazrat Ibrahim(as), being most obedient to God, was about to sacrifice the life of his son Ismail, when God commanded him to stop and gave him the good news that he had indeed fulfilled His command. God was so pleased with Ibrahim because of his obedience that He multiplied his progeny into billions. He was also given the great honour of being the forefather of the Holy Prophet of Islam(sa).
Those who are able to offer the sacrifice should remember the significance of doing so, as succinctly stated in chapter 22:38 of the Holy Qur’an:
Their flesh reaches not Allah, nor does their blood, but it is your righteousness that reaches Him. Thus has He subjected them to you, that you may glorify Allah for His guiding you. And give glad tidings to those who do good.”
The act of sacrifice is symbolic reminding the person who offers it that as the animal is inferior to him so he, also, is inferior to God and should, therefore, be ready to sacrifice himself and all his personal interests and inclinations for the sake of God when he is required to do so. The same applies to a Muslim who desired to offer the sacrifice but could not, for economic reasons.
The attainment of righteousness should be the goal of every Muslim. The Holy Quran further states:
Verily the most honourable among you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most righteous among you. (49:40)
Eid-ul-Adha is an occasion on which Muslims everywhere are encouraged to renew their commitment to make every kind of sacrifice for the spiritual, moral, social, and economic uplift of mankind and especially their own. If they make it a common cause and strive to manifest in themselves the attributes of God in accordance with the teachings and guidance of the Holy Quran and teachings of the Holy Prophet then, indeed, the message of Eid-ul-Adha would have borne fruit.
Referring to attaining Taqwa and excelling in spirituality, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Promised Messiah(as) said that we should love Allah as if we have died in His way. Just as we slaughter animals, we should consider ourselves slaughtered in the way of Allah. When anyone’s Taqwa is less than this, then it is not a sufficient level of Taqwa.
The significance of Eid-ul-Adha is obedience to the will of Allah and killing or suppression of once passion or greed.
The current World-wide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in His Message of Eid-ul Adha said that “It is a reminder that one should sacrifice oneself for a greater good. This greater good that a Muslim should always be ready to sacrifice oneself for is the Almighty God, by way of sacrificing their time, wealth, honour and life.” He further said “Understanding the true spirit of sacrifice is even more important in this day and age where some nations are usurping the rights of others; where the blood of human beings is being wasted for minor worldly goals.

On the Eid Day – Remembrance and Gratitude – Eid Ground and Covid-19

Remembrance of Allah and gratitude to Him is the hallmark of that day. There is exaltation of Allah to and from the Eid praying ground. One significant aspect of Eid-ul-Adha is the slaughtering of animals. On the day of Eid those Muslims who can afford to sacrifice an animal are enjoined to do so after Eid Prayer. However, this aspect should not be taken as a do-or-die affair. The offering of animal as a sacrifice is only incumbent upon those who can afford to do so. With the prevailing increase in prices of all consumables including animals, many Muslims may not be able to buy rams for the Eid. The Almighty Allah knows our individual capacity and does not burden us beyond it. No Muslim should resort to un-Islamic means to offer this sacrifice.
We are grateful to Allah who out of His infinite mercy has given us the privilege to witness this year’s Eid-ul-Adha. We are more grateful because, last year, the Eid-ul-Adha prayers were offered at home by each family due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year’s Eid prayer will be offered in congregation. This is an acceptance of prayers over last year. Given the resurgence of COVID-19, I urge all Muslims to observe the protocols released by the government to avoid the spread of the pandemic.
Message to Nigerian
We call on the Muslim of Nigeria to sacrifice with spirit of obedience, respect, humility, and righteousness so that their sacrifices can be accepted. Accordingly, they should avoid all vices especially greed, stinginess, and miserliness in rendering genuine services with humanity. A larger portion of what is not sacrifice of the affluent will go waste.
We should remain prayerful. Nigeria is at the centre of war, feasible and infeasible wars. I pray that the wars do not consume us. Physical war, economic war, spiritual war, social war, intellectual war among others. May Allah help the poor masses to be able to taste the good of this world and the world to come.

We call on the government to approach the act of governance with act of sacrifice. In an economy where income is not sufficient to cover operating expenses, it will not be too much if all the political leaders in government in Nigeria can serve for free without salaries or any allowances. This is because, they are already well to do and it will be an act of sacrifice on their part is they can contribute to national economic recovery.
We draw the attention of the Press to the message of Islam that they should say only the truth and the right words. Similarly, we call on the government to allow good expressions even if it is against anyone to the extent that it is the truth and where it is not the truth, for the existing laws to deal with the same.
It is our wish that the government pay attention to the security of the people, economic emancipation and elimination of the endemic corruption. We advise the government to desist from interest-based loans so as to avoid war with Allah.

We call on all Muslim leaders to stress the need for improved sacrifices based on righteousness as this is what Nigeria, and the world need at this time.
I wish you all Eid Mubarak.

Alh Alatoye Folorunso Azeez
Amir (Head)
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria.

AHMADIYYA GRADUATES NINE MISSIONARIES

By
Nurudeen Akinreti
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The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Nigeria Branch has graduated nine (9) Missionaries at its School of Theology (Jamiatul-Mubashireen) located at Ilaro, Ogun State.

The graduands who had successfully completed their four-year programmes comprised of five (5) Nigerians, three (3) Beninoise and one Cameroonian. Their names are: Adeyemi Habeebullah (Nigeria), Apooyin Abdulroqeeb (Nigeria), Gongola Abbas (Nigeria), Badrudeen Abdul Azeez (Nigeria); Ajakaye Mujtaba (Nigeria); Hafiz Ayeroumi Abdul Kabir (Benin Republic); Hafiz Ibrahim Shafii’ (Benin Republic); Isa Alabi Mustapha (Benin Republic) and Nuhu Yusuf Baba (Cameroon).

Alhaji Alatoye Folorunso Azeez, the National Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria who was the Chairman of Convocation Ceremony enjoined the newly graduated Missionaries to live up to expectation by displaying attributes and characters of a true reformer.

Barrister Alatoye also urged the new Missionaries to always upgrade themselves morally and educationally by making researches and professing solutions to world crises. He added that it can only be possible through fervent prayers.

“Today, I congratulate you all on your well-deserved convocation ceremony after four years of rigorous training at Jamiatul-Mubashireen. You have all chose to be reformers, therefore you should always display good attributes of reformers. Your work is a blessed and professional one. It has both worldly and divine rewards. You are on the track to teach the people to be Godly.”

“Missionaries are researchers. You are expected to research on lasting solutions to the challenges facing the world. You must then support your solutions with prayers.”
“You must preach with the goodness of your behaviors. Also train and retrain yourselves to be better. Always follow the right path and guard against evils from money and women. Above all, go to the field to reform the people with good characters and prayers,” the Amir stated.

The National Head also sounded a note of warning to Jamia students generally in respect to the rules and regulations of the institution.

His word: “The aim of the institution is to produce reformers of good repute and proud ambassadors of Ahmadiyya Community. Any candidate coming to Jamia must be steadfast, God-fearing and upright. We can’t afford to produce unfit missionaries to the society.”
“When you are opportuned to be in Jamiatul-Mubashireen, do not attempt to violate the rules and regulations, the punishment is very stiff. Please follow all the rules guiding the institution.”

The Acting Missionary Incharge, Maulvi Abid Abdul Waasi enjoined graduands to always request His Holiness for prayers and seek for his guidance on all their daily routines.
Certificates of Excellence were later given to the graduating students. Academic and sporting event prizes were also presented to outstanding students.

Prominent among the guests include the National leader Majlis Ansarullah Ahmadiyya Nigeria (Elders’ Forum of Ahmadiyya Community), Alhaji Abdul Waheed Adeoye and National leader Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Nigeria (Youth Wing), Dr. Sanni Taofeeq.

ALHAJI OWOLABI ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN NCRIB

By
Nurudeen Akinreti
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Alhaji Abbas Owolabi has emerged the Chairman Nigeria Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) Abuja Chapter.

Based on his contributions to the body over the years, his experience cum dexterity in the profession, Alhaji Owolabi was unanimously elected as the head of the body, succeeding Mr. Lateef Omoladun whose tenure expired earlier in the year.

NCRIB was founded in 1962 and incorporated in 1967 as a non-profit making organization backed by Act 2003. Its aims and objectives is to maintain central organization for all insurance brokers in Nigeria, watch over legislation, afford means of arbitration on, or for settling disputes, collaborate with government and various institutions and professional bodies, organise conference, seminars and workshops for insurance brokers as well as formulate standard of practice and conduct of members.

The new chairman whose company – Hansworth M.A. Insurance Brokers Ltd., registered with NCRIB since 2001 had earlier served as the Vice Chairman for two consecutive terms.
Alhaji Owolabi promised to lift the body to greater heights and therefore solicit support from all and sundry to actualise the dream.

“My plan as the Chairman is to improve on the relationship with the insuring public by organising road walk to sensitize the public, radio and television shows. I also plan to improve on the I.T. skills of our members as well as improving general welfare of our members by effecting certain policies on insurance,” Alhaji Owolabi noted.

Alhaji Owolabi is an active, dedicated and responsible member of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Abuja Branch. He was formerly the Abuja President of the Branch.

REFLECTING ON MY JAMIA GRADUATION DAY AND THE MISSIONARY CAREER

By
Yunus Omotayo
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By Al-Hafiz Yunus Omotayo

It’s always exciting reminiscing the day of my graduation from Jamia Ahmadiyya (Theological Institute established by the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for the training of Missionaries) at Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria, which took place 15 years ago, precisely on 16th July, 2006.
Indeed, it forever remains an historic, significant, inspiring and catalytic event in my life. Historic, because the graduation symbolized my departure from a student life to my formal induction, along with my colleagues, into the Missionary profession as life-devotees in the service of the religion of Islam. Significant, because it hallmarked the beginning of a professional career which champions the mission of divine prophethood, sparking the challenge to imitate the exemplary prophetic moral and spiritual life to be able to win the hearts of humanity. Inspiring and catalytic, because it transported me to the plateau of self-realization and consciousness that to strive for distinction and excellence in one’s study, in one’s work and in one’s career is not only rewarding in the final analysis, but also what actually defines the true meaning of meaning when it comes to actualising life’s goals and destiny.
My reflection goes back to 2003 AD, the year that my academic adventure began in the Jamia. Over twenty students, drawn from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, have been admitted to undergo the rigorous missionary training. However, three years later, on the day of the graduation, only six of us have got the fortune and the grace of Allah to make it to the end of the course. We were: Adam Garba, Adeleke Ismaīl, Ajibola Abdullah, Aliyy Ishaq, Yunus Omotayo and Yunus Fayomi. The rest have had to drop out, for one reason or the other.
Although I was born an Ahmadi Muslim, but I didn’t have the opportunity to learn about Islam during my childhood, because I found myself in a Christian-dominated society where my socialization at the peer and age group levels, as well as, both my primary and secondary educational adventure saw me learning Christian Religious Knowledge (this has, however, turned out to be a blessing in disguise, anyway). My study of Islam only began from the level of self-study towards the end of my secondary school and continued in my post-secondary years well to the year of my admission to the Jamia Ahmadiyya. Hence, in the spirit of the Qur’ānic imperative: “And the bounty of thy Lord, proclaim;” I’m ever humbled with deep sense of gratitude to Allāh to reminisce and relate the grace of Allāh Who enabled me to emerge successfully from the Jamia.
Thus, the 2006 Jamia Convocation saw my worthless self receiving the prize for the best graduating student. This unassuming boy also bagged a certificate of Tahfizul Qur’an (Memorization of the Qur’ān), and a prize for being the first student to become a Hafizul Qur’ān (honorific title for a memorizer of the Qur’ān) in the history of Jamia Ahmadiyya Nigeria. And according to the then Missionary In-Charge of Nigeria, Maulana Abdul-Khalique Nayyar Sahib, it was second to the trail-blazing feat achieved by respected Ahmadiyya’s Mufti Silsila, Maulana Kahloon Sahib, in the world history of Jamia Ahmadiyya International.
More so, the event also cheered my humble self with a number of prizes from the sport fiesta of the year: 1st position in 100 meters race; 1st position in 200 meters race; and 1st position in table tennis (single), among other prizes.
I could still recollect that I represented the final-year level in the Extemporary Speech Competition organized for the year. I was the Ra’ees (the Students’ President) of the 2006 set. The pressure to win the competition was indeed challenging to me: how would one relate the story that a student representing a lower level defeated the Ra’ees who was representing the final year level? The day arrived and the event commenced. My turn came and I was called forward to pick my topic. I did. To my surprise, however, I read the question that asked me to speak on “My Favourite Teacher.” I was shocked.
All my lecturers were seated. The thought of who should I choose among them dominated my mind. They, too, were staring at me; perhaps, thinking who will Yunus speak on as his favourite teacher. For a few seconds, I remained mute, confused and indecisive. I felt if I should choose one, how would the others feel about it and me? I knew I have had to take a decision not just inevitably, but also wisely as well; so as to, at best, please them all, or, at worst, play safely. Then the thought flashed my mind: why not speak on the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) as my favourite teacher! Now, I felt I’ve gotten the best option in the best prophet who is the ultimate favourite teacher of the people of all time and clime. It worked excellently. I made it and added another 1st position prize for Extemporary Speech Competition!
Jamia Ahmadiyya, through its broad curriculum and esteemed and erudite lecturers, taught us Islam: its theology, jurisprudence, law, history and the Scholastic Dialectics. It took us on an academic voyage to extensive comparative religious studies. It engaged us in philosophical and psychological studies. We were taught world languages: Arabic, English and Urdu! We were trained in Islamic morality and spirituality and in the principles of dedication to the service of the faith. We were taught that a Missionary must be a dictionary, and should learn something about everything. We were taught to see ourselves as both leaders and servants of the faith and of the faithful.
More so, we were made to undergo rigorous physical training and dignity of labour. We were instructed to serve as builders of personalities, to see ourselves as social workers and, above all, as callers to the oneness of Allāh and the prophethood of Muhammad (saw) – the Seal of the Prophets.
However, at the end of the course, just when we were about to begin to breath a sigh of relief from the rigour of the studies, we were told that all that we have been taught merely constitute 25% of the prerequisites for a successful missionary! That we must seek to acquire the rest through our self-study of life in life, and through further self-acquisition and accumulation of experiences and skills.
Indeed, the tasks upon a Missionary are enormous. During his address of 17th December 2012 at Jamia Ahmadiyya, Reichstadt, Germany, the Khalifatul Masih V and Supreme Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) summarized the Missionary callings in the following words:
“A preacher and missionary, who is being educated in Jamia Ahmadiyya, has to make the world aware of the existence of God the Exalted. He has to fulfil his responsibilities in order to bring people closer towards God the Exalted. He has to make the world aware that peace, justice and love cannot be achieved until the hearts realise that our every action and deed is being witnessed by God the Exalted…..”
“God the Exalted has stated in the Qur’an that those who acquire religious knowledge should be well-versed. Therefore, to acquire – religious knowledge – is a commandment, that there should be a body of men amongst you who are well-versed in religious matters……and then later you presented yourself; you were neither compelled nor forced to do so. You yourself volunteered and opted for this, and presented yourself to serve the faith. So now that you have learned about your faith or have come towards the learning of religious knowledge, then you should also be mindful of it. Alongside being well-versed in religion, God the Exalted has also specified the objectives that you should attain. You should warn every nation and wherever you are based, as I have already stated, bring them towards God the Exalted. Make them aware of the existence of God; make them realise the importance of religion and draw their attention towards bringing an end to misconduct and misguidance.”
Importantly, as I read in Professor Thormas Arnold’s 1902 work titled The Preaching of Islam, the term “missionary religion”, is defined by Professor Max Muller in his lecture delivered in Westminster Abbey, on the day of intercession for missions, in December, 1873, to mean, viz, one “in which the spreading of the truth and the conversion of unbelievers are raised to the rank of a sacred duty by the founder or his successors…… It is the spirit in the heart of the believers which cannot rest , unless it manifests itself in thought, word and deed, which is not satisfied till it has carried its message to every han soul, till what it believes to be the truth is accepted as the truth by all members of the human family.”
When the Qur’ān declared in Chapters 9:33; 48:29 and 61:10 that, “He it is Who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the Religion of truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religions,” it was objectively declaring that Islam is a missionary religion. As a Prophet, Muhammad (saw) is a missionary. However, while every Prophet is a missionary, not every missionary is a Prophet. But, every missionary takes on the mission of a prophet. Just about a year before his migration to Madinah, Prophet Muhammad (saw) appointed the first Muslim Missionary in history – Mus’ab bn Umair – to Madinah. As a missionary religion, and as a result of the foundational missionary activities initiated by the Prophet Muhammad (saw), Islam is today the second largest, but fastest growing religion in the world, according to a 2015 report by Pew Research Center.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is an international revivalist and missionary organization within Islam. It pursues the fundamental mission of propagating Islam to every corner, land, institution, home and heart of the world and humanity. With its global network of missionary activities that boasts of thousands of Missionaries spread across over 220 countries and territories, Ahmadiyya has emerged as the fastest growing Islamic denomination with 3.6% growth rate, according to the 2001 edition of the World Christian Encyclopedia.
If, as the Qur’ān declares, the Prophet’s duty of calling unto the way of Allāh is the best of careers, then the Missionary, who assumes the duty and career of the Prophets, is engaging in the best career, in the sight of Allah! May Allāh continue to be with and bless every Missionary working for the mission of Islam.

REMINISCING MY QADIAN JALSA EXPERIENCE

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admin
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Maulvi Nurudeen Okubena

By the special grace and mercy of the Almighty Allah, I was privileged to attend the 2018 Jalsa Salana Qadian, India. It was actually my first presence and experience in Qadian, the birthplace of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the Promised Messiah and founder of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. As an African Missionary leaving the shores of Africa for the first time, I was filled with happiness and a great aspiration to see Qadian.

On arriving at Qadian after a journey of several hours on road from New Delhi, and despite witnessing such cold weather for the first time in my life, the sight of Qadian was indeed pleasing and I was more pleased when I saw more than thirty (30) fellow Africans at the Conference with a very high spirit and great enthusiasm to participate in all the Jalsa proceedings.

I was exceptionally marvelled with the spirit of brotherhood at the Jalsa and, most especially, with the high spirit of sacrifice displayed by the workers at the Convention; both the young and old were always ready to offer every sacrifice for the comfort of the guests of the Promised Messiah (as). The volunteers on security duties were always there at every moment, even in the extreme cold of the night. May Allah reward them all abundantly.

One great thing about Qadian was that everyone meets with cheerfulness and happiness. Most especially when some of our Indian/Pakistani brothers realised that an African Missionary, like myself, could speak and understand the language of the Promised Messiah (as); they all showed great love and affection.

Another wonderful scenario I witnessed at Qadian was that, despite the extreme cold weather, you would find people very early in the dawn trooping in large numbers to participate in the Tahajjud (the supererogatory night Prayer). I could remember that while there, I tried on so many occasions to observe prayers at the Mubarak Mosque but on every occasion, I was told the place is filled up; but, I eventually had the opportunity to do so. Alhamdulillāh!

It was indeed pleasing to have the opportunity to pray at Baitu Dua, Baitul fikr and several other rooms of the Promised Messiah (as). One surprising fact is the enthusiasm and zeal in every attendee to get an opportunity to pray in these holy rooms, and one could see a feeling of contentment and conviction of acceptance of prayers in the countenance of everyone who had the opportunity of praying there.

While in Qadian, considering the distance we traversed to reach there, one thing that always struck my mind was how the message of the Promised Messiah (as) was able to spread from such a remote village to the entire world, it then dawned on me without any iota of doubt that indeed he was a Chosen One of the Almighty Allah.

Another striking thing about Qadian is the feeling of tranquillity one experiences while there. One always feels secured in Qadian and even adherents of other faiths who live nearby show a high level of love and affection to all Jalsa attendees.

Also, witnessing the attendees at Jalsa who travelled from different parts of the world, I could see the fulfilment of the prophecy vouchsafed to the Promised Messiah that:

يأتيك من كل فج عميق

That is, “He shall come to you from every far region.”

I was able to meet people from virtually all the continents of the world and everyone displayed a great level of love for the other.

I was extremely pleased with the various speeches at the event. The facilitators were versatile and learned and the speeches were really soul inspiring.

Qadian is a place to be visited by all, to experience the bounty and favours bestowed by Allah to the Imam of the age. May the Almighty Allah give us all the grace to do so. Aameen

A Crisis of Conscience Demystified

By
Yunus Omotayo
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By Al-Hafiz Yunus Omotayo

Recently, one of the followers of my Facebook Page sent a question to me, via Messenger App, seeking clarification on an issue of faith and jurisprudence. Her question and the answer given by my humble self are published below for the benefit of the wider readership.
Questioner: I was told that an Ahmadi can’t pray at the back of a non-Ahmadi. Why please?
Al-Hafiz Yunus Omotayo: Respected sister, the fact of the matter is that, such kind of people would only tell you Ahmadi Muslims can’t pray behind non-Ahmadi Muslims, but they would not tell you that they themselves can’t pray behind Ahmadi Muslims! Perhaps you may need to ask them that can they pray behind Ahmadi Muslims whom they had declared Kafirs (disbelievers)?
Anyhow, let me answer your question and be as straightforward and unambiguous as possible. To approach your enquiry, I feel it would be helpful to first interrogate the historical background of the matter and, then, move on to the underpinning theological and jurisprudential factors and issues.
It would interest you to note that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamā’at was founded in 1889 by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) as a revivalist movement within Islam; with a mission to revive the faith and reform and unite the Muslim faithful. More relevantly, you may equally find it impressing to note that, as members of a Jamā’at that seeks to end the challenge of religious separatism within the Muslim-body polity, Ahmadi Muslims of the earliest period, as available evidences suggest, used to enter the mosques of the non-Ahmadi Muslims in their various towns, and even prayed behind them. In fact, in his book, Victory of Islam, which he wrote in 1890 and published in 1891, Hazrat Ahmad (as) himself recollected how, while in the city of Aligarh, India, he offered his Friday Prayer behind a non-Ahmadi Muslim scholar, Maulvi Muhammad Ismail. This was because they consider non-Ahmadis as their fellow Muslims behind whom Salat can be offered congregationally. This historical fact should prove Ahmadi Muslims’ commitment to fostering Islamic brotherhood and unity and their aversion to separatism.
However, as copious evidences show, during that early period (and later, too) many among Muslim scholars and leaders who were opposed to the revivalist teachings of Hazrat Ahmad (as) began to declare that Ahmadis are disbelievers (kuffar) and therefore, not Muslims. In fact, as history tells us, nearly 200 scholars converged on Ludhiana, India, where they appended their signatures to one of such takfiri edicts. Many other prominent scholars later followed suit. For brevity, let me quote just one of such obnoxious fatawa (edicts).
In 1892, Maulvi Abdus-Samī’ Bedayuni issued this fatwa: “Observance of daily-prayer behind any Mirza’i (sic. Pejorative term they used for an Ahmadi Muslim) is definitely illegitimate. Praying behind Mirza’is is no different from praying behind the Hindus, the Jews or the Christians. The members of Ahlu Sunnah wa al-Jamā’ah denomination and other persons of Islamic faith must never let Mirza’is to enter our mosques for either offering daily prayers or for any other religious observances.” (Sā’iqa-e- Rabbāni ber Gitna-e- Qadiani, published in 1892 A.D., p. 9)
Many a times, they would persecute Ahmadi Muslims whenever the latter entered their mosques. During those days, those Ahmadis would run to Hazrat Ahmad (as) and complained of their bitter experiences and requested him to permit them to build their own mosques in their various towns and pray there, so as to be safe from such persecution. Initially, he would reply them that they should be patient and that he would reach out to those Muslim scholars and leaders to strike mutual understanding, reconciliation and peace.
In fact, during this period, he wrote a conciliatory note which he titled, Sulh Khair (Reconciliation is the Best), where he made appeal to his religious fellows to desist from their Takfiri edicts and the ensuing hostility and persecution. But, instead of compromising, those scholars would even increase in their opposition and persecution, inciting the Muslim public against Ahmadi Muslims. The evidence below, written by an opponent of Ahmadiyya, Maulvi AbdulWahid Janpuri, should attest to this historical fact:
“Let it not be concealed that the reason for this conciliatory note is that after the Mirza’i group in Amritsar was subjected to disgrace; expelled from Friday and congregational prayers; humiliatingly thrown out of the mosques in which they used to pray and barred from the parks where they held their Friday prayers, they asked Mirza Qadiani to build a new mosque. Mirza told them that they should wait while he tried to make peace with the people, for in that case there would be no need to build a mosque. They had to bear much humiliation. Their social relations with the Muslims were stopped, their wives were taken away from them, their dead were thrown into pits without garments or funeral rites etc. It was then that the Qadiani liar issued this conciliatory note.” (Wahid, Maulvi Abdul, Ishtihar Mukadat Musailimah Qaadiani, p. 2)
It was at such a juncture that, Hazrat Ahmad (as), based on divine inspiration, instructed the Ahmadi Muslims to build their own mosques and appoint their Imams among themselves and stop praying behind the other Muslims who see them as non-Muslims and who would not desist in their enmity and persecution. He further issued the instruction thus:
“Remember that God has informed me that it is forbidden to you and forbidden altogether that you pray behind any Mukaffir (one who attributes Kufr [disbelief] to another), Mukazzib (a denier) or Mutaraddid (a doubter). Your Imam should be one who is one of yourselves.” (Appendix,Tuhfa’-e-Golarhwiyyah, page18)
Please note the word used by Hazrat Ahmad (as) in this instruction. He has interestingly used the one “Mukaffir”. While the other Muslim scholars have referred to Ahmadis as Kafirs and ordered Muslims not to pray behind them, Hazrat Ahmad (as) has rather referred to them as Mukaffir (one who declares other Muslims as Kafir) and forbids Ahmadi Muslims from praying behind them. This shows that Hazrat Ahmad (as) was never the one who declared other Muslims as Kafirs!
Now, the question is: why is it forbidden to pray behind any Muslim who declares his fellow Muslims as Kafirs? The answer is because the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said that: “If a Muslim calls another a Kafir, then if he is a Kafir, let it be so, otherwise, he is himself a Kafir.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, vol. 3, p. 484) Now as such a Mukaffir has turned a Kafir through his own declaration, can a Muslim pray behind such? That’s the jurisprudence along with its reason.
However, here, it is necessary to emphasize the stance of Hazrat Ahmad (as) who declared that: “Brothers! You know that the pronouncement of disbelief against me are not based on proper investigation and do not contain an inkling of truth. Rather, all these declarations are sheer fabrication based upon deceit, injustice and falsehood, out of personal jealousy. These people know very well that I am a believer and they have seen with their own eyes that I am a Muslim and that I believe in One God with Whom there is no associate; that I profess the Kalimah: There is none worthy of worship except Allah; that I accept the Book of Allah, the Quran and His Messenger Muhammad (saw) as Khatam Anbiyā (Seal of the Prophets); that I believe in angels, the Day of Resurrection, heaven and hell; that I offer prayers and keep the fast; that I belong to the Ahl-ul- Qiblah (people who face the direction of the Ka’bah in Salat); that I have neither added, nor taken away anything from the Shari’ah, not even to the extent of an atom and that I accept all that has reached us from the Messenger of Allah (as) whether I understand its secrets or not and that by Allāh’s grace, I am a believer and a unitarian.” (Ahmad, Mirza Ghulam, Nurul Haq, vol. 1, p. 5; Ruhani Khazain, vol. 8, p. 7)
In fact, just about two months before his demise in May, 1908, he issued the following pronouncement on this issue:
“As the Maulvis (scholars) of this country, due to their bigotry, have generally declared us Kafirs and have issued fatwas against us and the rest of the people are their followers, so if there are any persons who, to clear their own position, make an announcement that they do not follow these Maulvis who make other Kafirs, then it would be allowable to say prayers with them. Otherwise, the man who calls a Muslims a Kafir becomes a Kafir himself. So how can we pray behind him? The Shari’ah does not permit it.” (Ahmad, Mirza Ghulam. Vide. Badr, 24/31 December, 1908)
Perhaps you may want to know why the Shari’ah does not permit it. The reason is, when you talk of Jamā’ah or congregational prayer, it is important for you to note that, the word ‘Jamā’ah’, in its linguistic and juristic implications, means that those who gather in the congregation, both the Imam and the Muslims behind him, must be united in their belief system and objectives; their hearts must be one. They must have unity of belief and objective. From this perspective, it becomes imperative that there is no true or ideal Jamā’at in Salāt when the hearts of the congregants are disunited in faith and objective. This is why a verse of Suratul Hashr of the Holy Qur’an declares that:
تحسبهم جميعا و قلوبهم شتى ذلك بأنهم قوم لا يعقلون.
Meaning, “You think them to be united (as a Jamā’ah), but their hearts are divided.” That is because they are a people who have no sense.” (Qur’ān, 59:15)
So, consider this point: as Ahmadi Muslims and non-Ahmadi Muslims are not united in some issues of belief (aqeedah) and objectives (maqasid), can there be true congregation in such a scenario? If they do, then according to this verse, you would only perceive them to be in congregation, but their hearts are divided. Such a congregation can only be superficial, not spiritual. Can any sensible person see any spiritual value and status in such a congregational prayer? The Shari’ah does not permit it!
However, if the non-Ahmadi Muslims make announcement that they accept that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is truthful, not a dajjal and a kafir; and that Ahmadis are Muslims, not Kafirs, then there will be no issue, nothing at all!

AHMADIYYA NIGERIA HEAD BAGS GLOBAL AWARD

By
Nurudeen Akinreti
-
0

By Aliyu Usman

The International Chartered World Learned Society, a worldwide independent organization, self-governing, pan-discipline educational charity with one of its aims to provides public benefits including expert scholars’ advice on a variety of public issues related to sciences, engineering, health sciences, arts, humanities, social sciences and so on has seen Alh (Barr) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez the current Leader of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaát in Nigeria as worthy of its international award.

Alatoye Folorunso Azeez
was honoured with the Golden Award as “the most Notable and Top Distinguished Leader of the 21st Century” by the International Chartered World Learned Society, a United States-based organization, with offices in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

He has also been conferred with the Life Fellowship of the Society in the field of Law, Accounting, and Taxation.

While conferring the award on Alh (Barr) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez, the World Grand President of the Society, UNESCO Laureate Prof. Sir Bashiru Aremu, noted that the recognitions were based on Alh (Barr) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez’s immense contributions to the global knowledge industry in particular in the area of Law, Accounting, Taxation and religion of Peace.

The insignia of the awards included certificates, Golden Frame, a muffler, a golden medal, a plaque and other instruments of the Society which were presented in recognition of “the avocation, enthusiasm, and reputation” of the honouree.

While congratulating Alh (Barr) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez on behalf of the World Grand Board of Directors, ICWLS, including Prof. Sir Sarfraz Lloyd of Oceania, Prof. Sir Abhiram Kukshreshtha of Asia, Prof. Sir M. Howard Pilley of Europe and Prof. Sir Luis Emilio Abad of the Americas, Prof. Aremu urged the recipient not to relent in his efforts of adding value to humanity.

According to Fellow of Cambridge Scholar Publishing, UK, the UNESCO Laureate, Prof. Sir Bashiru Aremu, who is also the Vice Chancellor Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc, Santa Cruz, Argentina, world partners, and constituent campuses and online programs described Alh (Barr) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez as a shining example of diligence, excellence, and competence from whom the present and future generations will continue to draw inspiration and emulate as well.

While responding to the presentation of awards, Alh (Barr) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez appreciated the World Grand President and the ICWLS World Grand Board of Directors for deeming him worthy of the honour. He stressed that he considered the honour on behalf of his family, Muslim, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community worldwide that he is currently serving as one their Leader in Nigeria apart from being Lawyer and Chartered Accountant. He also expressed willingness to leverage the membership of the consortium in achieving the tripartite mandate of his new incoming university (Proposed Minaret University in Nigeria ) viz teaching, research, and community service.

Prof. Aremu said, “Alhaji (Barr.) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez, HND, BL, LLB, FCTI, FCA, FNIM. FSM, ACIArb, is the Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria from 1 July 2019 to date. Prior to that, he was the Naib Amir, South West Region of Nigeria.

“He had served in various positions such as the National Secretary Maal, National Internal Auditor, National Ameen. He had also served as the Vice-Chairman, Humanity First Nigeria, Naib Jalsa Officer, and Secretary Nusrat Jehan Board Nigeria at one time or the other.

“Azeez Alatoye is a Senior Partner of Ascension Consulting Services. He has responsibility for the Business Development, Operational Excellence, and Practice Management of the Firm. Azeez is a:

“Barrister & Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria & member of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria & A Chartered Tax Practitioner
Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management); and
Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK.
Bachelor of Law Degree holder from the University of Bradford UK
Holder of Higher National Diploma in Accountancy, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.
Ordinary National Diploma, Polytechnic of Ibadan.

“He trained with Z.O. Ososanya (HLB International) in 1993 before joining Coopers & Lybrand (C&L) in 1994. With the merger of C&L & Pricewaterhouse in 1998, Azeez joined PricewaterhouseCoopers in July 1998 and rose to the level of Senior Manager in July 2005.
“In September 2005, He joined Akintola Williams Deloitte where he worked as a Senior Manager in the Oil & Gas, Tax Advisory & Regulatory Services, West African Operations until 30 June 2007.

“In July 2007, Azeez was admitted as a Partner in Ernst & Young to head the Energy, Chemical & Utilities Tax Sub Unit & Business Tax  Compliance Services for West Africa.  This he did up to June 2009.

“On 1 July 2009, Azeez, with two other senior colleagues co-founded Saffron Professional Services where he was the Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Oil & Gas and Solid Minerals Tax Partner, the position he held up to 31 July 2012, with any others”, he said.

Prof. Aremu said, ” Alhaji (Barr.) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez, HND, BL, LLB, FCTI, FCA, FNIM. FSM, ACIArb, is the Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria from 1 July 2019 to date. Prior to that, he was the Naib Amir, South West Region of Nigeria.

“He had served in various positions such as the National Secretary Maal, National Internal Auditor, National Ameen. He had also served as the Vice-Chairman, Humanity First Nigeria, Naib Jalsa Officer, and Secretary Nusrat Jehan Board Nigeria at one time or the other.

“Azeez Alatoye is a Senior Partner of Ascension Consulting Services. He has responsibility for the Business Development, Operational Excellence, and Practice Management of the Firm. Azeez is a:

“Barrister & Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria & member of the Nigerian Bar Association
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria & A Chartered Tax Practitioner
Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management); and
Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK.
Bachelor of Law Degree holder from the University of Bradford UK
Holder of Higher National Diploma in Accountancy, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.
Ordinary National Diploma, Polytechnic of Ibadan.

“He trained with Z.O. Ososanya (HLB International) in 1993 before joining Coopers & Lybrand (C&L) in 1994. With the merger of C&L & Pricewaterhouse in 1998, Azeez joined PricewaterhouseCoopers in July 1998 and rose to the level of Senior Manager in July 2005.

“In September 2005, He joined Akintola Williams Deloitte where he worked as a Senior Manager in the Oil & Gas, Tax Advisory & Regulatory Services, West African Operations until 30 June 2007.

“In July 2007, Azeez was admitted as a Partner in Ernst & Young to head the Energy, Chemical & Utilities Tax Sub Unit & Business Tax Compliance Services for West Africa. This he did up to June 2009.

“On 1 July 2009, Azeez, with two other senior colleagues co-founded Saffron Professional Services where he was the Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Oil & Gas and Solid Minerals Tax Partner, the position he held up to 31 July 2012, with any others”, he said.

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