Kunle Adelabu
-IMCA pleads for support for Muslim cemetery
Muslims in lkorodu community and residents at large, have been charged to imbibe good ways of life, live in unity and co-exist peacefully in accordance with the tenets of Islam and teachings of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), and also in accordance with the lessons of Hijrah.
Muslim leaders gave the charge on Sunday, at the well-attended second edition of the Hijrah celebration at the lkorodu Town Hall.
The celebration, which has become an annual event, is being organized by the Ikorodu Muslim Community Association (IMCA).
This year’s edition of the Hijrah celebration, themed, “New Beginnings: Embracing The Journey For A Greater Ikorodu”, was chaired by Alhaji Chief Mikhail Akinsanya, Baba Jammah of Ikorodu and also had the presence of the Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District, Sen. Mikhail Tokunbo Abiru, Oba Abdulrahma Adetunji, the Olunla of Mayegun Kingdom, Eti – Osa and other eminent personalities.
Fadhilat Shaykh Abdul Wasiu Idris Aadio Bawallah, Deputy Mufty, IMCA, in his lecture, said that the most important Hijrah embarked upon by Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) was his journey from Mecca, his place of birth, to Medina.
He charged Muslims to always reflect on their actions and change from bad habits to good ones.
While stating that the Hijrah by Prophet Muhammed (SAW) did not come easy, the guest lecturer asked muslims to imbibe the perseverance and patience employed by the Prophet (PBUH) in dealing with challenges that confronted him.
While commending the leadership of IMCA, especially the two leaders – His Eminence, Sheikh Alli Seifudeen Ademoritan Olowo-Oribi and His Eminence Sheikh Yahya Olorunosebi Oshoala Ajagbemokeferi, for the peaceful co – existence and unity within the Muslim community in Ikorodu, Fadhilat Bawallah charged that the unity must be preserved for progress to be sustained.
His Eminence, Sheikh Alli Seifudeen Ademoritan Olowo-Oribi, the Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, speaking on the importance of the Hijrah celebration, said that Hijrah implies changing from bad ways of life to a good ones.
“Hijrah signifies changing from a bad thing to a good one. For instance, the Muslim community was divided and there was no cooperation before the celebration of Hijrah last year, a problem which had been with us for long, but at the last year Hijrah, we were able to resolve our differences and since then, the Muslim community in Ikorodu, has been united”, the Muslim leader said.
“You can approach Hijrah in many ways – either by stopping bad behaviors and adopting good ones, or stop being careless in spending and develop the habit of saving. lt could also mean somebody making decision this year to quit smoking or drinking alcohol.
“The importance of Hijrah is to turn a new leaf or to be better than before; develop good behaviour and attitude”, Sheikh Olowo-Oribi said.
He called on both the federal and state governments on the need to ensure good governance and provide the citizenry with policies that would bring succour to several challenges that they are facing at the moment.
“My plea to the Federal and State governments is to ensure that there is good governance and also make life easy for the populace, because what we have been experiencing is quite difficult “, he said.
“The government should also provide security to ensure peaceful co-existence”.
Also speaking, Imam Musbaudeen Olasunkanmi Rotinwa, Coordinator of IMCA, said that Hijrah marks the beginning of new Islamic Year, and a way of showing that the Ikorodu Muslim community has embraced unity.
“The significance of this event is to commemorate the new Islamic calendar which is the New Year, and also to show the whole world that there is unity within the Muslim community in Ikorodu “, he said.
“By the time we took over the management of IMCA, it wasn’t like this, but after forming the reconciliation committee to look into the matter, I am grateful to Almighty Allah and to the two leaders, both Baba Olowo-Oribi and Baba Samadani, for their cooperation in getting us to this stage.
While commending this year’s celebration, the IMCA Coordinator also charged Muslims to imbibe good habits and ensure peaceful co – existence.
“This year’s organization is better than that of last year in terms of attendance, because the space available cannot accommodate all the muslims in Ikorodu, that wanted to attend.
“We are hoping that the elders will allow us to shift the programme to a bigger place in future.
“I advise muslims in Ikorodu, to imbibe the tenets of Hijrah and migrate from bad to good, and also to know that we are interwoven, thus, we have to help and assist one another and see to the progress of the body and the town”, he said.
Alhaji Rotinwa also pleaded for support from muslims and others, for the ongoing Ikorodu Muslim Cemetery being embarked upon by the association
.
He stated that the cemetery is important towards ensuring befitting burial for muslims, considering how public cemeteries in Ikorodu, are being managed.
Alhaji Taopheeq Olorunjedalo Amodu, Director of Communication IMCA,also speaking on the significance of the celebration, said:
“The day is for Muslim to gather and reflect on what Hijrah stands for; that we are migrating from what is bad to what is good”, he said.
“Hijrah also talks about unity and this is one of what we need as a people in our homes, society, community, state and the nation at large. Religious wise, we were being tore apart and Hijrah means unity and when there is unity, we will be able to forge ahead, flourish and progress”.
