The Amir (National President) of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola and some members of the Minaret International University Ikirun project committee recently visited the site to inspect the newly constructed farmhouse and the farm settlement.

The team also paid a courtesy visit to the ruler of the host town, Akirun of Ikirun Oba Raufu Olayiwola Adedeji at his palace in Ikirun, Osun State

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The Amir (National Head) of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola recently embarked on a day working visit to Apata Branch of the Muslim organization to commission some laudable projects.

Dr. Fashola who was accompanied by eminent personalities from the National Headquarters commenced the activities lined up for the day with the commissioning of Fadl- Omar Comprehensive College Apata, a school under the supervision of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Apata Branch. The Branch President Alhaji Teslim Oniyide stated that the zeal to provide sound and qualitative secular and Islamic education led to the establishment of the school. He, therefore, requested prayers from all members for the progress of the school.

Amir further proceeded to Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Gbekuba/Ogbagba, Apata to commission the newly built three-bedroom mission house. He also commissioned the Branch Tabligh vehicle, a Peugeot 504 car.

In his remarks, Amir commended the activities of the Branch members which aimed at promoting the true teachings and preachings of Islam as exemplified by the Holy Prophet (saw) and Hazrat Imam Mahdi (as). He urged them not to rest in their oars and achieve greater feats that are pleasing to Almighty Allah.

Among the entourage of Amir are: the General Secretary AMJN Alhaji Abbas Iromini and the Sadr (National Leader) Majlis Ansarullah Ahmadiyya Nigeria (Elders wing) Alhaji Abdul Waheed Adeoye.

Alhaji Abbas Owolabi, the Branch President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Abuja has donated a newly built mosque to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The mosque is located at Oke Ayo Eleshinmeta, Aba Alamu, Apata, Ibadan.

The mosque, which was commissioned by the Amir (National President) of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola is a modest one. It is measured 60 x 50m and can accommodate over 130 worshippers at once. The donor also donated a two-bedroom apartment to serve as a mission house for the missionary in charge of the mosque.

In a chat with our correspondent, Alhaji Owolabi disclosed that the donation was made in loving memory of his mother Alhaja Risikat Aduke Owolabi who passed away in 2016.

While thanking the Amir for the eventual commissioning of the project, Alhaji Owolabi commended the efforts of Jamaat members around the area in making the dream a reality and also appealed to them to make the area a full-fledged Jamaat where five daily prayers, as well as Jumaat prayers, will be observed.

In his first Friday sermon in the mosque, the Amir hailed the initiative of the Owolabi Family leading to the donation of the mosque and mission house to the Jamaat, adding that it was a move worthy of emulation going by the divine rewards attached to such act. He also requested worshippers to observe congregational prayers and relate among themselves with unity and harmony, and eschew bad feelings, hatred and evil acts.

He said: “Anyone who built mosque has a great reward from God Almighty. It is one of the good deeds we can leave behind in this world. Meanwhile, all mosques are owned by God. No one can claim ownership of a mosque. True believers are expected to worship in the new mosque. Don’t keep grudges among yourselves, kindly love one another and live with peace and harmony so that your prayers will be answered by God Almighty.”

“Members are requested to seek the pleasure of Allah alone, do not associate any partner with Him. Forgive whoever offends you and return evil deeds with goodness. Be a role model and emulate Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in all respect. Always strive to observe congregational prayers and never abandon the mosque.”

The Missionary In-Charge of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Nigeria, Maulvi Afzaal Ahmad Rauf has toured various branches (Jamaats) of the Community in Kogi State between 19^th and 20^th June 2019.

The high profile visit which took him to places (Jamaats) like Lokoja, Okene, Kabba, Iyamoye, Ayegunle-Gbede, Al-Azhar, Ayetoro-Gbede and Ayere, among others, marked his first time meeting with the members of the Jamaat in this part of the country, following his appointment to the office by Khalifatul Masih V and the Supreme Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper).

Intimating the members of the aims of his visit, the eminent Islamic scholar disclosed that he has come to familiarize with members of the Jamaat in Kogi and to urge them to brace up their efforts on the propagation (Tabligh) of the message of Islam and Ahmadiyya to the people in the State.

He admonished the members to strengthen their faith and double their sacrifice in the cause of Allah. Furthermore, he urged them to preach the message of the Jamaat through exhibiting good characters and adhering to Islamic practices and principles, particularly, the reformed Islamic systems (Nizaam) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.

His Eminence was accompanied by Maulvi Nasir Mahmood, the Central Missionary in charge of Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa and Benue States.

Courtesy Visits to Traditional and Religious Leaders

As part of his itinerary, Maulvi Afzaal Ahmad also paid courtesy visits to various Traditional and religious leaders in the places toured, among whom were the Olu of Ayegunle-Gbede, HRH, Oba Michael Oloruntimilehin Ayeni, the Obaro of Iyamoye, HRM, Oba Ibrahim Muhammad, the Chief Imam of Ayegunle-Gbede, Alhaji Musa Olorunkemi, Chief Imam of Ayetoro-Gbede, Alhaji Tiamiyu Arobani, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ayegunle-Gbede Branch, Reverend Ayepeku.

Receiving his eminence, the Olu of Ayegunle-Gbede was quick to commend Ahmadiyya for establishing Ahmadiyya Secondary School in his town years ago when there was none in the whole town. He, however, requested for further support of the Jamaat for the school, lamenting its current poor state, due to near-neglect by the successive Governments, in the aftermath of it’s taking over decades ago.

While responding to His Royal Highness, Maulvi Afzaal stated that Ahmadiyya represents the motto of love for all; hatred for none, and service to humanity, irrespective of creed, colour, and religion. He said the Jamaat will assess the government educational policy and look into an area of support.

Speaking further, he said, “In one year, I have traveled across the country and known the worth of Nigeria.”  “Nigeria is great and beautiful but, presently asleep. It must wake up and realize its potentials.” Adding that, “the leaders must give good leadership direction to the people.”

He further noted that members of Ahmadiyya donate from their income to sacrifice for the human community. He, therefore, urged the larger community to emulate practice and contribute towards their collective community development. He harped on community leadership and followership to uphold prudency, accountability, and transparency in the management of available resources, for, billions of aids have often come to the country from various foreign governmental and non-governmental donors but with little to show for their impactful utilization.

“Ahmadiyya Excels” – CAN President

The President of the Ayegunle-Gbede branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor expressed his appreciation for the visit, describing it as a demonstration of the common unity and brotherhood of humanity despite the difference in religions. He noted that there has been no religious crisis in Ayegunle-Gbede.

Speaking on Ahmadiyya, the revered Christian leader remarked, “Among all my Muslim friends, Ahmadiyya is a different group with a unique feature of truth and love. Ahmadiyya excels.”

Responding, Maulvi Afzaal Ahmad complimented, saying that Muslims and Christians have common grounds that unite than divide them, and for the Ahmadi Muslims who do not only believe in Jesus Christ of Nazareth (peace be upon him) but also in the advent of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him), the adherents of the two religions are closer to each other still.

“Islam Has Come To Unite Us”

At the residence of the Chief Imam of Ayegunle-Gbede, Maulvi Afzaal Ahmad impressively stated that “No doubt, Islam has come to unite us. The Holy Prophet (saw) has said that ‘a Muslim is he from whose hands and tongues other Muslims are secured.’ This is the message to be spread everywhere; and because of this, we are moving around urging humanity to practice Islam in the best manner.”

Speaking further, he said, “Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat believes in one God, the Holy Prophet (saw) and the Promised Messiah (as) who came in fulfillment of the prophecies of the Holy Prophet of Islam”.

Furthermore, he urged the revered Imam, “You are responsible for building the faith of the people here. Having known Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat beliefs for long, it is incumbent on people, in line with the instruction of the Holy Prophet of Islam (saw), to convey his (the Holy Prophet’s) salaam (greeting of peace) to him (the Promised Messiah), even though it may be difficult. Concluding that, “As the Chief Imam, I humbly urged that we join in the effort of teaching the beautiful message of Islam”.

In his response, the Chief Imam expressed his gratitude to Ahmadiyya for the establishment of the Ahmadiyya Secondary School in Ayegunle-Gbede. He also acknowledged how, a few decades ago, he personally requested a prominent member of the Jamaat who was then a Federal Commissioner to exert his influence to ensure the then ongoing road construction is channeled through Ayegunle-Gbede Township, which he successfully facilitated.

The climax of his working visit was his meeting with the Naib Amir, North (Deputy National President for the North), Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Nigeria, Dr. Y.A.Habeeb Sahib and some of the members of the Executive Council of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Kogi Circuit. The meeting which was held on 20^th June, at Al-Azhar Jamaat, Lokoja, featured a discussion on crucial issues relating to preaching outreach (Tabligh) and other related Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat’s affairs.

All roads led to Al-Azhar International College, Zango-Daji, Lokoja, Kogi State on Saturday, June 22nd, 2019, as its subsidiary School of Tahfizul Quran held a memorable graduation ceremony for eight (8) students who have completed the memorization of the entire Holy Quran to earn the honorific title of Huffazul Quran, as well as other 26 secular students who have completed the learning of the basic principles of the recitation of the Holy Quran.

The historic event, held at the ultra-modern multi-purpose hall of the School, was graced by high profile guests from all walks of life.

Speaking at the event, the retired university don, Alhaji Ahmed Sanusi who was the chairman of the occasion, lauded the vision of the proprietor of the School, Dr. Yaqeen Habeeb, for establishing such a multi-million citadel of learning that satisfies both the secular and religious educational yearnings of, particularly, Muslim students.

In his address, the eminent Proprietor, a retired top banker, revealed that the school has a mission to impact religious moral values in the students which are much needed in our contemporary corrupted society. Speaking further, the former APC’s Kogi Governorship Aspirant declared, “Al-Azhar has the mission to prepare its students for the highest Nobel Prize, as well as, to groom them to emerge as disciplined future leaders by choice and not by chance.”

A landmark development which guests at the event found interesting is the spectacular feat achieved by all the eight graduands.  The profile of each of them, as projected in a power-point presentation, revealed they had completed the memorization of the entire Holy Quran within the spans of between 17 to 21 months. This spectacular feat offers an interesting case of speedy memorization experiences that fast-tracked a 3-year course to a short span of a year and a half or two years at most. For this, the parents of the graduands could not but vote their thanks to the Tahfizul Quran system adopted by the School.

The climax of the event was the beautiful and melodious rendition of the Quranic verses by the graduands that elevated the audience to the high heaven of spiritual ecstasy and realization.

Speaking to The Truth correspondent, Muallim Ishaq Habeebullah who teaches Basic Quranic Recitation at the School said the programme affords secular students the opportunity to learn the Holy Quran along with their secular subjects.

It is worthy to note that the School officially commenced Tahfizul Quran school in April 2014 as a subsidiary to Al-Azhar International College, and has since rolled out tens of high-class memorizers of the Holy Quran. With qualified Tahfizul Quran facilitators and conducive environment for Quranic memorization, the School remains the best citadel for scintillating Tahfizul Quran experience.

Al-Azhar International College is the first Cambridge Associate School in Kogi State, offering educational services in Montessori Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools.