Camping has basis in Shari’iah – Ibn Taofeeq
+ Why Muslims, some Christians don’t celebrate Xmas, New Year
The month of December of every year is a festive period and it usually features a number of holidays. From Christmas, an annual festival said to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ to January 1, which heralds the beginning of the Gregorian New Year, the December/early January period hosts a lot of merriment all over the world.
Despite the global acceptance of the holidays, including the Boxing Day (December 26), some sections of the Christian faith (Jehovah Witness, Deeper Life, etc) and a wide range of Muslims do not participate in the glitz and glamour that come with the festivals.
Muslims News can authoritatviely confirm that Jesus Christ, who is also called Essa by the Muslims, was not born in December as erroneously believed by the majority of Christians.
The dates (December 25 and January 1), we reliably gathered, were originally dedicated to the worship of pagan gods by the ancient Romans, where the elebrations originated before the modern commercialisation of the festivals.
According to the Shari’iah, Muslims are forbidden from imitating the unbelievers and participating in their pagan-origin festivals.
A veteran Muslim journalist, Mallam Tajudeen AbdusSalam, in a chat with Muslim News, said whoever among the Muslims imitates the Christians by celebrating their pagan-origin festivals is part of them.
AbdusSalam however stated that there is nothing wrong if Islamic organisations organise camping programmes during the Christmas and New Year periods to protect Muslim youths from the fitnah (tribulations) of participating in such festivals.
A veteran Muslim journalist, Mallam Tajudeen AbdusSalaam, in a chat with Muslim News, said whoever among the Muslims imitates the Christians by celebrating their festivals is part of them.
AbdusSalaam however stated that there is nothing wrong if Islamic organisations organise camping programmes during the Christmas and New Year periods to seize the opportunity of the long holiday to enlighten and educate the Muslim youths on one hand and on the other hand, to protect them from from vices and immoralities that have pervaded our society, through seclusion.
“After all, Qur’an related to us the seclusion of the People of the Cave and we are also aware of the seclusion of Prophet Muhammad. That seclusion gave birth to the revelation – the ultimate information and knowledge.
“Idle mind is devil’s workshop. Once the youths remain idle at this time, they naturally find alternative in debilitating movies, games, promiscuity and all forms of permissiveness.
Camping has both textual and historical evidences in Islam
A Nigerian-born Middle-East scholar, Ibn Taofeeq AbdulAzeez said camping, public lectures, seminars, conventions and other beneficial programmes during such festivities have both textual and historical evidences in the Shari’iah.
According to him, such camping was practised by the Ashabul Kahf (the People of the Cave), who secluded (camped) themselves away from a polytheistic society.
Allah narrated in Qur’an 18: 10/16: (Remember) when the youths fled for refuge (from their disbelieving folks) to the Cave, they said: “Our Lord! Bestow on us mercy from Yourself, and facilitate for us our affair in the right way!
“(The youths said to one another): And when you withdraw from them, and that which they worship, except Allah, then seek refuge in the Cave, your Lord will open a way for you from His Mercy and will make easy for you your affair (i.e. will give you what you will need of provision, dwelling, etc.)”
Ibn Taofeeq called on the Nigerian Muslim youths to take advantage of the holiday periods and attend well organised camping programmes.
“Camps are usually avenues to seclude oneself away from sins and witness tremendous changes in the level of one’s faith, understanding, exposure and of course, brotherhood.
However, do not forget to make a sound intention while going for the camping programmes. This is very essential, since all our activities must be in accordance with sound intention.”
All the Muslim camping programmes
Right inside Lagos, the Centre of Excellence and commercial nerve centre of Nigeria to other States of the Federation, there are several Islamic camping programmes for Muslim students, professionals and artisans – both male and female – during the festive period.
Muslim News presents the details of the camps below:
1) Guild of Muslim Professionals
6th Annual Convention
Theme: Transformational Leadership, Good Governances and the Muslim Professionals
Date: 22nd – 25th December, 2018
Venue: Peninsular Resort, km 25, Lagos/Epe Expressway, by Abraham Adesanya Roundabout, Ajah, Lagos State.
Convention fee: 25,000
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2) The Muslim Congress
25th National Islamic Training Programme
Theme: Provisions for the Nation
Date: Friday 21 – Tuesday 25, 2018
Venues:
Southwest Zone 1 (Lagos and Ogun States): Vanguards Academy, Odosengolu, Ijebu-Epe Express road, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
Southwest Zone 2 (Oyo, Kwara, Osun and Ondo States): Muslim Comprehensive Government College, Sabo, Ilesa, Osun State.
South South/South East Zone(Edo, Delta and Rivers States): Allahu Nur Central Mosque, Odani Green City, Elelewon, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Northern Zone (Abuja, Niger and Nassarawa): Government Science Secondary School, Pyakasa, Maitama, FCT, Abuja.
Registration fee: 3500
Registration portal: nitp.tmcng.net
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3) MSSN Lagos State Area Unit
106th Islamic Vacation Course
Theme: In the shade of Sunnah
Date:
Secondary school: 22nd – 27th December, 2018.
TFL (Primary) and others: 27th December, 2018 — 1st January, 2019
Venue: Human Capital Development Center, Noforija, Epe, Lagos.
Registration:
Primary School (TFL) – 2000
Secondary school – 3000
Undergraduates – 3500
Others – 4000
Register at camp.mssnlagos.net
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4) Al-Mu’minaat (The Believing Women) Organistion
24th National Al-Mu’minaat Training Forum
Theme: The Only Hope
Date: 28th December, 2018 – 1 January, 2019
Venue
Ijebu Zone: Vanguards Academy, Ijebu Ode, Epe Road, Odosengolu, Ogun State.
Abuja Zone: Government Science Secondary School, Pyakasa, Maitama, Abuja.
Oyo Zone: Al-Ameen Comprehensive College, Oba Aeeyemi Area, Oyo Town.
Registration fee
Adult – 3000
Kiddies from 1-3 – 1500
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5) Standard Bearer Islamic Organisation
Holiday Islamic Course
Theme: The Goal
Venue:
Kwara State Chapter: Lamp Bearers Islamic School, Saidu Alkali Street, along Asa Dam Road (adjacent Dangote Flour Mill), Ilorin Kwara State.
Osun State Chapter: Laro Idfle School opposite Government House, Ilobu Road, Osogbo
Abuja (FCT) Chapter: Government Science Secondary School, Pyakasa, Abuja.
Date:
Ilorin: 22 – 26 December, 2018
Osun: 22 – 26 December, 2018
Abuja: 27 December 2018 – 1 January, 2019
Registration fee:
Ilorin: 2000
Osun: 1500
Abuja: 2500
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6) Pure Heart Islamic Foundation of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter
Pure Heart Modelling Camp PMC 2018
Theme: The Determinants
Date: 26th December 2018 – 1st January, 2019
Venue: Remo Divisional High School, Sabo Sagamu, Ogun state.
Registration fee:
Secondary School Students – 2000
School Leaver and Higher Institution – 2500
Workers – 3000
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7) MSSN B-Zone 106th Islamic Vacation Course
Theme: The Truth From Your Lord
Date: 24th December, 2018 – 1st January, 2019
Venues:
South West Centre
—IVC Permanent Site, km 30, Ibadan-Lagos Expressway, Imolisa Village, Via Ogunmakin, Ogun State.
—Al Hijra College, Ogunmakin, Ogun State (Umuhaat)
—WAMY International Secondary School, Ogunmakin, Ogun State (Kiddies)
Edo/ Delta Centre
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State.
Port Harcourt Centre
Al-Usrah Complex, Opp Jaros Base, Rumuepirikom, Iwofe Road, Port Harcourt Rivers State.
Registration fee
Adult – 3300
Undergraduate — 2800
Secondary School students — 2300
Kiddies – 1800
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8) Nawair Ud Seen Society of Nigeria (Youth Wing, Lagos Zone)
24th Annual Dawah Camp.
Theme: At-Tabsheer (The Glad Tidings)
Venue: Nawair-ud-Deen Society, Oshodi Masjid, 36, Adewale Crescent.
Date: Monday 24 December, 2018 to Tuesday 1st January, 2019.
Camp Fee: 3000
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9) Muslim Islamic Culture Awareness
Katibah 2018
Theme: Designed to Excel — Deen, Deed and Excellence
Date: 23 December, 2018 – 1 January, 2019
Venue: NYSC Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos
Fees:
Payment at the Gate – 12500
Online/Bank payment on or before December 22 – 10000
Bank details: MICA 1771070339 Polaris Bank
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10) Jam’iyyat Junud Dinil Islamiyy
23rd Annual Mukhayyam
Theme: Patience and Perseverance: The Believer’s Cloak
Date: 23rd December, 2018 – 1 January, 2019
Venue: Mahmud Ahmadiyyah College, Ahmadiyyah Bus stop, Abule-Eko, Ijede-Ikorodu, Lagos.
Registration Fee:
Adult – 5000
Others – 3000
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11) The Young Muslims Association (TYMa), Alimosho Zone
19th Unified Muslim Children Camping Program (UMCCP)
Theme: The Creed
Date: 27th December, 2018 – 1st January, 2019
Venue
Towergate Academy, Majiyagbe Layout,Oja Bus Stop, Ipaja, Lagos.
Muslim Teens College, off Ijegun Road, NEPA Bus Stop, Ijegun, Lagos.
SURULERE:
Issa Williams Memorial High School, Iponri, Surulere, Lagos.
Registration Fee: 2000
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12)The Young Muslim Jamah (YMJ), Edo State
Vacation Course for Muslims (VCM) 2018
Theme: The Quranic Generation
Date: 24 December, 2018 – 2 January, 2019
Venue: Blessing Foundations College, 1 College Triangle, Off 2nd Federal Road by Iyase Street, Uselu, Lagos-Ugbowo Road, Benin City, Edo State.
Registration Fee: 2000
By Rasheed Abubakar | Additional report from AbdulWaheed Shotonwa
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Ma shaa Allah. Baarokallohu feeh
Alhamduliah nice Concept i usual i am very happy with your Activities be rest Assured you will go places innshaAllah (Amir Young Muslim Jamaica, Edo State)
Assalam Alaykum, this is a nice concept but Ansar-Ud-Deen Dawah Camp is not included in this listing. Can you please help make enquiries from them for more so you could post it here.