Humanity

Ahead of the forthcoming 67th Annual National Convention (Jalsa Salana) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria scheduled to hold in Ilaro Ogun State, its National Head (Amir), Alhaji (Barr.) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez has paid a familiarization visit to the traditional ruler of the town, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, MFR at his Palace in Ilaro. The Amir was accompanied by the Missionary Incharge, Maulvi Afzaal Ahmad Rauf; Naib Amir (Deputy Head) Finance and Administration, Alhaji Mufadhil Bankole; Sadr, Majlis Ansarullah Nigeria (President, Elders Forum), Alhaji (Engr.) Abdul Waheed Adeoye; the Principal Ahmadiyya School of Theology, Maulvi Abdul Azeem Ahmed; National General Secretary, Alhaji Abbas Iromini and Chairman Convention Organizing Committee, Engr. Qasim Oluwa. Barrister Alatoye expressed profound gratitude to the King for accommodating the Muslim Organization’s institutions and members without rancour or intimidation.  He added that the continuous hospitality being shown the Ahmadiyya Community was well recognised by the Supreme Head of the Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(May Allah be his helper). He also delivered the peaceful message which the Supreme Head has been spreading and championing globally.  The Amir later presented some Jama’at’s literature to the King and formally invited him to the forthcoming convention at Ilaro and also International Conference in the United Kingdom in 2020. In his response, the Olu of Ilaro commended the good neighbourliness, support and cooperation of the Ahmadiyya Community in Ilaro Township and prayed for a successful regime of the new leadership. His Royal Highness also thanked the organization for establishing institutions in Ilaro and further requested the community to site a University in the Town.  He promised to attend the Conference in December 2019 and also link up with the global head of the Ahmadiyya Community in London soon. Visit to Chief Imam: The National Head also visited the Chief Imam of Ilaro, Alhaji Tajudeen Mustapha Adewunmi and thanked him for embracing and sustaining a peaceful atmosphere among religious leaders in the Town.  He solicited for continuous peace and harmony among the religious leaders and members, noting that violence and enmity cannot be traced to the teachings of Islam. The Amir further appealed to the Chief Imam to always use his good office to advise the government on good governance which should cut across road construction, provision of food and shelter and other social amenities that are beneficial to the masses.  He later invited the Chief Imam to the Convention and presented him with some Jama’at’s books. Accepting the formal invitation to attend the forthcoming Jalsa Salana, the Chief Imam described Ahmadiyya Community as a role model to other religious bodies due to its numerous educative programs and seminars; the proper upbringing of the children and financial sacrifices in the way of God Almighty. He cited some of the organization’s seasoned scholars as good ambassadors of the Community, adding that their impacts are well felt positively among the non-Ahmadi Muslims. The Chief Imam further requested for the establishment of Ahmadiyya Hospital/ Maternity which will comprise of female staff and where childbirth would be taking place. Qualities of Ahmadi Members: The Amir later led the Jumu’ah prayer at Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Central Mosque, Sabo Ilaro and discussed on five (5) important qualities of an Ahmadi member. He highlighted complete obedience to the institution of Khilafat, respect to the constituted authority, love for everybody, goodness to all and offering of five Daily Prayers as innate and vital qualities which must be imbibed and displayed by a true Ahmadi member anywhere in the world. Barrister Alatoye emphasized that the success of Nigeria Jama’at totally depends on obedience to the laid down rules and regulations of the Community and all the directives of the global head.

The Etsu Nupe and the Chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar, CFR has revealed the major reason for honouring the invitation to attend the International Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community held in the United Kingdom last year. Speaking at his Royal Palace in Bida, Niger State during the visit of the National leadership of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria led by the Amir (National President), Alhaji (Barr.) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez, the traditional ruler disclosed that the inner impetus to have first-hand information thereby correcting the wrong impression about the Muslim Community made him attend the Conference. It would be recalled that the Etsu Nupe with other four members of his family attended the 2019 Annual Convention in the U.K. where they were given a befitting reception, and also had the rare privilege of meeting the Supreme Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(May Allah be his Helper). Dr. Abubakar expressed his delight over his experience in the U.K. as he was able to ascertain the truth about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and its belief system which were in conformity with the tenets and true teachings of Islam.  He affirmed that those attacking the Muslim organization are ignorant of its belief system and activities. Consequent to his findings, the traditional ruler informed that he summoned all leaders of Muslim sects in his domain and educated them properly. His words: “The motive behind attending the international convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the U.K. was to actually seal the trust I had in the Jama’at and to have some clues about her belief system.  I got to know that the organization believe in one God and that the Holy Prophet(Sallallahu alaehim wasalam ( was the seal of all prophets.  The Community also promotes peaceful co-existence which Islam preaches, so what else? “I was really impressed and convinced after that visit.  Those giving wrong allegations and are attacking the Ahmadiyya Community do that out of ignorance and sensitization.  I had to gather all the leaders of Muslim organizations in my Kingdom to the palace and educate them properly after my arrival from the United Kingdom.  Ever since then, they (Muslim leaders) have changed positively and are now relating to themselves peacefully.” General advice for Muslim leaders: The Etsu Nupe admonished religious leaders generally to eschew all forms of hate speech and disseminate the true teachings of Islam, notably the Peace Message which the Ahmadiyya Jama’at preaches across the globe. “Before now, some of these scholars spent much time preaching against other sects than the time spent on disseminating true teachings of Islam. This trend has changed anyway after the orientation. Let us preach on five daily prayers, Hajj, and current affairs in the society.  Avoid hate speech and re-awaken followers on Islamic affairs.  Let us always appreciate what God has given us and refrain from anger, jealousy, envy and embrace peaceful co-existence.  This will no doubt improve the spirit of brotherhood among us,” he opined. Highlights of Amir’s Speech: Barrister Alatoye while delivering his speech expressed his profound gratitude to the Etsu Nupe for honoring the 2019 U.K. Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) which has further bolstered the Jama’at’s relationship with members of Nupe Kingdom. He further solicited the Etsu’s full support and cooperation towards disseminating the peaceful message of the Jama’at across the country, taking into consideration current happenings in international politics. “We thank His Royal Highness for attending our international Jalsa Salana 2019 in the U.K.  It’s a huge blessing for the Jama’at in all sectors.  Let me use the opportunity to emphasize that the Ahmadiyya Community is very much concerned about the spreading of a peaceful message.  That is why His Holiness has been moving across the world to deliver peace messages to world leaders.  Aside from this, the Jama’at is also concerned about the welfare of the masses, hence the establishment of Humanity First International which focuses on the provision of food, shelter, health services, education, disaster recovery, among others for the less-privileged.  We humbly request for His Royal Highness’ full support for the actualization of these programmes, starting with the spreading of peace messages across Nigeria,” Barrister Alatoye requested. His Holiness(May Allah be his Helper) Visit to Nigeria: The Amir also used the occasion to solicit Etsu Nupe’s full support for the coming of His Holiness(May Allah be his Helper) to Nigeria, especially playing an active role on His Holiness(May Allah be his Helper) meeting with the Nigeria President, National Assembly, and top government officials. Barrister Alatoye later prayed for the protection of lives and properties and abundance of blessings in the Nupe Kingdom.  He then presented Jama’at literature and other gift items to the Monarch. Some of the entourage of Amir include the Missionary Incharge, Maulana Afzaal Ahmad Rauf; the General Secretary, Alhaji Abbas Iromini and the National Secretary External Affairs, Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu.

In continuation of its official familiarization visit to government officials and first-class traditional rulers in the country, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria led by the Amir (National President), Alhaji (Barr.) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdul Rahman Abdul Razaq at the Presidential Lodge in Ilorin, Kwara State. The visitation was also part of the preparations towards the coming of the Worldwide Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(May Allah be his Helper) to Nigeria to further promote peaceful coexistence among the people of varied religions, cultural differences, and languages. In his address Barrister, Alatoye felicitated with Governor Abdur Razaq for eventually emerging as the 20th Governor of the State against all odds, and prayed for the successful regime. “Even though we have written “Letter of Congratulations” to Your Excellency, let me use this opportunity to physically congratulate you on your well-deserved victory at the governorship polls.  By the Grace of God, you are the 20th Governor of Kwara State in 2020.  May you succeed as the Governor in all respect,” the Amir prayed. Barrister Alatoye further stated that the Ahmadiyya Community preaches and practices the true teachings of Islam and shuns all acts of violence globally.  Aside from this, he said the Muslim Organization engages in humanitarian services through “Humanity First International” a non-governmental organization that specializes in the provision of food for all, water for all, education for all, skills acquisition, disaster relief program among other humanitarian services. “The Ahmadiyya Community is a Muslim Organization which upholds and teaches the true tenets of Islam across the globe.  In addition, the Community is concerned with the welfare of the people and thus provide humanitarian services for all without any discrimination,” he said. Reasons for Visitation: The Amir informed that the Supreme Head has been delivering a message of peace to world leaders in a bid to achieve a peaceful and harmonious co-existence. He added that His Holiness had the intention of visiting the country for the promotion of his Peace Message to the Government and well-meaning Nigerians, hence the need to prepare the ground by contacting top government officials and peace-loving Nigerians. He, therefore, solicited the governor’s full support and cooperation towards the visit of His Holiness by using his influence to ensure that the supreme leader addresses the Presidency and National Assembly. Barrister Alatoye also invited the governor to the forthcoming annual convention of the youth wing of the organization coming up in Offa, Kwara State on April 11, 2020, and also the Annual Conference of the organization at Ilaro in December 2020. While reiterating the Jama’at’s full support and backing to the state government, the Amir thanked the governor for granting the courtesy call at a short notice, presented him with Jama’at literature and prayed for God’s protection and guidance. Ahmadiyya Community: A Non-Violent Sect The Executive Governor while reacting described the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community as a non-violent organization with peace-loving membership.  He recalled his relationship with the Community at the Ahmadiyya College Agege, Lagos. He expressed his delight over the visitation which was held on Friday, a day of supplication.  He added that the Kwara State government will continue to partner with Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in all sectors and promised to attend the youth convention in Offa. His words: I welcome you all to Kwara State on a beautiful Friday, a day of supplications.  I had known the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for several years because I had a stint at Ahmadiyya College Agege.  I had known it to be a violent free Muslim organization.  The Kwara State government will continue to associate itself with the Ahmadiyya community.  The message of peace and morality which the Jama’at preaches is very important at this crucial period in Nigeria and the world at large.  In as much as these are the messages of the organization, I will be attending the programme in Offa.  We shall also be giving full support to the coming of the Supreme leader to Nigeria.” The Journey so far in Kwara State Governor Abdul Razaq used the occasion to recap the activities of the new government in Kwara State since its inception and submitted that it was a new beginning in Kwara across all sectors, notably education and health units. On education, he stated that previous administrations did not invest in the sector since 2013 and this has led to the deplorable state of both public and secondary schools.  He, however, informed that efforts are on to revive the all-important sector in the State. “Since 2013 nothing has been done.  You need to visit our schools and you will discover that basic things such as water, textbooks, and sanitation are not there.  Leaking roofs and the number of students per classroom is ridiculously high. “For instance, a classroom in a Secondary School in Ilorin West has about 100 students.  How do you want them to learn?  It is disgraceful.  For the schools to keep up, they had to cheat.  That is why we had issues with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) which we are trying to put behind. “We are going to reconstruct no fewer than 100 primary and secondary schools.  They need immediate and urgent attention.  But as they say, a journey of 1,000 Kilometers begins with a step.  So, we are starting with fixing of 31 schools.” The governor added that the government is also striving to improve the health sector and power generation in Kwara State and that social investment program will commence this month to improve the economic status of Kwarans.