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Muslim clerics urged to promote positive image of Islam

By Shakirah Adunola
01 June 2018   |   1:02 am
ANSAR-ud-deen Society of Nigeria has called on Muslim clerics to apply their knowledge in activities that would sustain positive image of Islam and shun materialism which is likely to prevent them from adhering to the tenet of Islam.

Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU), Alhaji AbdulMoleed Ninalowo, President, Dr. Kamoru Omotosho, and the immediate past president, Dr. Waliu Braimo at LEMU’s Quaterly Da’wah workshop held at the Lekki Central Mosque.

ANSAR-ud-deen Society of Nigeria has called on Muslim clerics to apply their knowledge in activities that would sustain positive image of Islam and shun materialism which is likely to prevent them from adhering to the tenet of Islam.

The President of Ansar-ud-deen College Isolo Old Students Association, Rtd Air Vice Marshal, S.O Smith said the holy month of Ramadan is for spiritual purification and blessings from the Almighty Allah.

“This is a period for us to increase our worship, faith and piety as revealed in the Holy Quran and practiced by Prophet Muhammad (SAW).He said the theme of the lecture is carefully chosen to educate Muslims on the moral principles and behavior of Muslims in the society.

“The time of Ramadan is to reflect on the past year, repent from our wrong doings and draw closer to Almighty Allah” he said.The Guest Lecturer and Chief Imam of Nawar-Deen Society of Nigeria, Abuja Branch, Dr. Nurain Taiwo Dindi, said the role of Nigerian clerics in sustaining positive image of Islam transcends from spiritual to temporal in the form of economic, political, social and even personal issues.

“As Muslims are generally requested to fashion their lives in line with teachings and ethics of Islam. It is also the fundamental responsibility of Nigerian Islamic scholars to protect the religion from corruption, defend it from aggression and protect its sanctity and purity” he said.He urged Islamic scholars to also serve as protectors of justice and uphold it; protect and support the weak in the face of aggression from the powerful government, group or an individual.

Dindi noted that sustaining the positive image of Islam should not be seen as responsibility of the Nigeria Muslim clerics alone but collective responsibility of all Muslims.According to him, the major role of Nigeria scholars in particular includes updating knowledge of Islam through teaching; reminding the Muslims of their obligation to Allah and humanity through preaching and participating in government of the day by monitoring and counseling the government, even if not consulted.

Nothing that majority of Nigerian scholars are not painting Islam in positive light through their method of preaching which focuses on wealth, fame and worldly position, he said this brand of scholars can go to any length to get rich quickly; acquire properties by any means; and secure political benefit in a most ignominious manner.

These categories of scholar, he said are described in the Holy Quran as ‘some who wrong their own souls’.He said the active involvement of Muslim scholars in government is an effective tool when it comes to sustaining positive image of Islam.

In order for scholars to effectively discharge that responsibility of sustaining the positive image of Islam, Dindi suggested that learning process should be continuous for them.“They should be enlightened not only about the Islamic literature but, also about contemporary events and occurrences, they should be current and focus their preaching on current contemporary domestic and global issues. They should search for information and obtain knowledge on other parts of the world in terms of development, military prowess, economic opportunities as well as religion advancement for them to be able to effectively inform the Ummah..

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