Kunle Adelabu
It was an emphatic proof by the Muslim faithful in Ikorodu that Islam is a religion of peace and unity as sectional groups that have been existing separately due to religion crisis for decades, united to celebrate the 2023 Islamic lunar calendar, Hijrah 1445th .
Thousands of Muslims, under the aegis of the Ikorodu Muslim Community Association (IMCA), trooped out to the Ikorodu Ultra – Modern Town Hall, Ikorodu, on Sunday, July 19, defying heavy downpour of the day, to celebrate the new lslamic year.
The event, which is celebrated annually by muslims around the world, is in commemoration of the migration of the Holy Prophet Muhammad,(SAW), from Makkah to Madinah, which began on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
The celebration was themed, ‘Towards A Sustainable Unity’.
Fadhilat Sheikh Musa Toib Alwajud and Sheikh Idrees Abdul Rasheed Olodo, spoke on the “Ithad and Istiqomoh” (Unity and Steadfastness) and “Ithad and Hijrah” (Unity and Migration), respectively.
The Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, who also doubled as the Chief Imam of Ikorodu Central Mosque, Fadhilat Sheikh Aliyu Seifudeen Ayinla Olowo-Oribi, described the celebration as an important event for all muslims, while expressing satisfaction over the unity that now exists among muslims in Ikorodu.
“What we have been pursuing has come into reality today. Though, we came here purposely for a particular purpose, we are going to be using it to achieve other important issues”, Chief Imam Olowo-Oribi said.
“In all, the outcome of today is what we ought to have been exhibiting as muslims in Ikorodu. Today is our thanksgiving for Hijrah, and we are celebrating it as a united family. We are grateful for Islam which Allah instituted himself.
“As Muslims, we have to have the spirit of thanksgiving to Allah who gave us Islam. He created 12 months to make a year and this particular month (Muharam) is the beginning of the 12 months. It is God that arranged those months himself, and it is our duty as muslims to always observe the new year as it has been the practice before us.
“The practice is that as muslims, we must troop out to herald the new year and for everybody to see us celebrating it. I congratulate you all for witnessing this new year”, he said.
The Muslim leader described the occasion as the first of its kind in Ikorodu, since a crisis divided the Ikorodu Muslim Community almost 50 years ago. He, therefore, called for its sustenance.
“Secondly, though, today is not a day for speech making, but I will just acknowledge this important issue for those with wisdom to understand. Today, the Ikorodu Muslim community are together as a family. Those in Isele are not afraid of those in Ijomu again unlike before”, he said.
“We were not like that before now. Those in Ijomu always entertain fear from going near Isele. Today, we thank God.
“I always remember my first statement when I was turbaned as the Chief Imam of Ikorodu Central Mosque, and which I have been consistent with, which is, we must completely do away with hatred and infighting in our own time. I was even named as Imam for peaceful co – existence by some elderly Imams, because they were unable to resolve the crises within the Ikorodu Muslim Community.
“The crisis within the community is nearing 50 years and those that were born during the period grew up to continue with it, but today, we are all together which calls for thanksgiving. We thank God for bringing peace and harmony back into our folds and never again shall we witness such an unfortunate period again.
“We must continue to live in peace and harmony as preached by Islam. That is the only way for us to make heaven together. Let us stop deceiving one another that others are not with us like we had done for many years without a profitable thing. We need to progress forward within the community of Islamic societies”, Imam Olowo-Oribi said.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam Jamiu of Oriwu Central Mosque, Ikorodu, Fadhilat Sheikh Yahya Olorunoshebi Oshoala, urged the muslim ummah to embrace the ideal of fairness and justice, which he said would undoubtedly promote peace and progress.
“My fellow Muslims, let us always remember that Islam is our faith and it defines who we are. We must all work to preserve it. The fact that we worked together to make today’s celebration happen, is very important and I am elated. Let’s all serve as ambassadors of justice and peace in order to maintain this culture of peace.
“This was stressed by Allah in verse 8 of the Quran, which reads, “O ye who believe, be steadfast witnesses, for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly.” Deal fairly; that is closer to what is required of you. Keep to your obligations to Allah, for He is aware of all that you do”, he said.
Alhaji Alhaji Chief Mikhail Akinsanya, the Baba Jammah of Ikorodu and the Chairman of the occasion, who was also full of praises and adoration to God for the gathering and progress that Islam has made in Ikorodu, also expressed his joy and acceptance at the good turn of event within the muslim community
“Today is a day of thanksgiving for lkorodu, and environs. It is a great day for uuslims and the entire Ikorodu community consisting of muslims and others”, he said.
“We must rejoice together because I am happy that we are learning great lessons today. Today, we have started a journey into sustained reconciliation and working together, and we all must do everything to sustain it”.
Alhaji Akinsanya, who expressed his happiness at the settlement of the age – long crises, asked members of the muslim community to always thank God for the day.
He charged that, henceforth, the Ikorodu Muslim Community must continue to celebrate the Hijrah together at the Ikorodu Town Hall.
The representative of the Lagos East District, Senator Mukhail Abiru, expressed his joy at the occasion, describing the event as epoch.
He was represented by Alhaji Rilwan Jinadu.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Ikorodu Muslim Community for its support during the recently held general elections, while also urging the ummah to follow the tenets of hijrah.
Basorun Babatunde Rotinwa, former Chairman, Lagos State Local Government Commission, Alhaji Monzor Kolawole Olowoshago, Publisher, Oriwu Sun, Chief lmam Tanimose Andu, Chief Imam, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Oloye Oye Solebo, former Chairman, Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), Alhaji Dapo Olowoshago among others, were some of the important dignitaries at the celebration.
There were also lmams, members of Islamic groups and organisations in Ikorodu, at the memorable event.
