The Lagos State chapter of The Muslim Congress (TMC) has joined other State chapters to mark the 2020 edition of the Islamic organisation’s Annual State Week, with a central theme; Balancing between Atheism & Science in a World ravaged by pandemic diseases”.
Tagged TMC (Lagos) Annual State Week (TASW), the programme kick-started on Friday, September 25 with a special Juma’ah Service held simultaneously at the Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos Island and Dawah Centre, Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos.
Speaking at a virtual press briefing on Tuesday, Chairman, TASW 2020 Organising Committee, Alhaji Kofoworola Yekini said the week-long event is part of the various advocacy programmes undertaken by TMC to address public concerns for socio-political renewal.
According to him, TMC (Lagos) Annual State Week (TASW) is an all-week civic engagement program designed to address public concerns with a view to mobilize the grassroots and the political elite for a charge towards socio-political revival.
“By design, the week-long event is headlined by an Independence Day lecture preceded by other activities such as media visits, free medical and humanitarian support services among other mass mobilizing programs.
“However, in the face of the prevailing circumstances, the 2020 edition of TASW will be reimagined to have global audience appeal as the programs lined up are, largely, to be undertaken online as virtual events using the popular cloud-based video conferencing platform, Zoom,” he noted.
Alhaji Yekini disclosed that apart from the Juma’ah (Friday prayers) held at two different central mosques in Lagos last Friday, the delegation will also be paying humanitarian visit to a correctional centre, the Kirikiri maximum security prison, Lagos on Wednesday, with items of necessities as they share moments with some of the inmates.
He said plans have been concluded to share relief packages among school teachers who are most affected by the COVID-19 enforced lockdown.
Speaking further, the Lagos Waali (Head), Alhaji Mikail Animashaun called on members of the Society in the State to join the annual Independence Lecture virtually on Thursday, October 1, adding that, two great personalities have been invited to do justice to the theme; Balancing Between Atheism & Science In A World Ravaged By Pandemic Diseases”.
According to him, “The first person is Navy Commander Taofiq Miqdad Gidado, the Acting Director, Centre for Islamic Affairs of the Nigerian Navy, Lagos and he will speaking on the topic; Religion and Science for a COVID-19 free world, conflict or confluence, while the second speaker is the Pro Vice Chancellor & Dean, College of Business Law & Social Sciences, University of Derby, United Kingdom, Professor Kamil Omotosho and his topic is, Survival Strategies in a period of Global Pandemic: The Muslims’ recipe.”
Speaking on the relevance of the theme, Alhaji Animashaun, a chartered accountant, said the society observed that the pandemic has made atheists to challenge the existence of God.
He said, “Those who do not believe in God are now asking questions, why has your God allowed people to be killed by pandemic? Why didn’t He save mankind? Why allowing close to a million worldwide to be infected?. Must hundreds of thousands people have to die because of pandemic that started in one village in far away China? Why all these challenges here and there if truly there is God? He is supposed to be an Omnipotent, Omniscience God. Why didn’t He save the world? That is why we have invited two experts who will be doing justice to the theme”.
Muslim News gathered that the event is expected to be attended by the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Engr) Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, as the Special Guest of Honour.
Other leading personalities that would grace the event are the Ranodu of Imota, Oba Mudashiru Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh (Engr) Sulaiman Abou-Nolla.
The climax of the event is the Special Prayer for Nigeria at 60, expected to hold virtually on Sunday, October 4 by 10am. It will be followed by a Health Seminar on coping in the era of infectious diseases — the COVID-19 experience to be facilitated by Dr. Sheu Tunji Akintade, Chairman/CEO HAMMAAB Hospital, Ikorodu, same day.”
The Muslim Congress is a frontline Islamic organisation that is committed to the goal of nation building with far-ranging programs and activities designed to address socio-political matters of national interest.
The organisation’s numerous programs and activities cover such varying socio-economic spheres as education, spiritual development, economic empowerment, healthcare, physcial well-being, prison care and re-orientation. These among others are achieved through all-year round programs and activities. TMC enjoys a national spread with State chapters and branches nationwide.
