The Chief Imam Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Dr. Musa Idris, has called on the Muslim faithful in the state to train and promote unity among themselves.
The cleric said if Muslims stood united they would be a formidable force to tackle any challenge facing them and their various communities.
Idris stated this in a lecture he delivered at the inauguration of the new executive of the Ondo State Council for Islamic Affairs on Saturday at the Central Mosque in Akure, the state capital.
The lecture was titled, ‘The need for a united Muslim ummah in Ondo State’.
He said, ” When Muslims in Ondo State stand united, they become a formidable force capable of effectively addressing the challenges and concerns of the community. Unity enables the Muslim community to leverage their collective resources, knowledge, and influence to bring about positive change and make a meaningful impact.
“Unity is not merely a concept but a cornerstone that fortifies our collective strength to confront the challenges that beset our Islamic community. As Muslims, it is incumbent upon us to transcend minor differences and unite upon the foundational principles of our esteemed religion and the virtuous values it upholds. Through unity, we derive strength, coherence, and the resilience needed to address our shared concerns.
“Let us prioritize the interests of our Islamic community over personal or sectarian interests. Let cooperation, mutual support, and compassion be the bedrock of our Muslim society. Dear brothers and sisters, we earnestly urge each one of you to embody the ethos of unity and collaboration, becoming advocates of peace and fraternity among Muslims in Ondo State. Together, through our unity, we can proudly elevate the banner of Islam and strive towards the advancement and prosperity of our community.”
In his acceptance speech at the inauguration, the new state Chairman of the ODSCIA, Alhaji Waidi Fadola, on behalf of other new members of the executive, said the exco would not betray the confidence the Council reposed in them to pilot the affairs of the group.
“We pledge to represent and serve the Muslim Ummah in Ondo State diligently. My prayer is that may God Almighty Allah increase us in knowledge so as to steer this mantle of leadership successfully, with the support of Ondo state Ummah, we accept to serve you assiduously, “the chairman declared.
Earlier in his remarks, the outgone state chairman of the group, Imam Abibullahi Akinpelumi, said Nigerians faced a series of challenging activities such as the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic downturn/policies that led to scarcity of funds, the election period, which led to the suspension of meetings and activities of the Council and by extension the elongation of the tenure of the executives but they were able to subdue the turbulent periods.
Akinpelumi said, “At our home front, the Council was always at the forefront in finding possible ways out to political and communal cum religious crisis in the state. The Council usually collaborate with the League of Imams and Alfas in Ondo state, NACOMYO and FOMWAN whenever there are issues that require that Muslims should speak with one voice.”
