Leading Muslim media scholars, including professionals, politicians and religious leaders on Saturday, September 18, 2021 came together for the 3rd anniversary of Muslim News, Nigeria’s most authoritative Islamic Newspaper to discuss best approaches to tackle fake news and negative media framing of Islam and Muslims in the global and Nigerian mainstream media.
The 2-in-1 Islamedia event which held at the Old Secretariat Mosque Hall, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, also saw the presentation of awards and certificates to the winners of Global and Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2020.
The event which lasted 4 hours was moderated by Jubril Folami, editor with News Central and Mustapha Kelani, a versatile TV Host.
Welcoming the guests to the event, which was joined virtually by audience from across the world in line with the COVID-19 regulations, the Chairman, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) Lagos/ Southwest Coordinator, Alhaji Kabir Garbasaid, “We are here today to celebrate with Muslim News Nigeria for marking the third anniversary of painstaking and resourceful reporting of Islam in Nigeria and across the Muslim world; and at the same time, rejoice with our brothers who emerged winners of #MNAwards.”
According to him, “Since one of the major objectives of Muslim News is to celebrate Muslim achievers who do not get prominence in the mainstream, we felt the need to go beyond just reporting them to honouring them for their feats and one of the best ways to achieve this is through recognition of this nature.
“There are countless chapters and ahaadith (sayings of the Prophet) (SAW) that support goodness for goodness, among them are Qur’an 5,9; 6:160; 16: 96, etc.,” he noted.
Some of the Awardees at the event included the Chairman of the event, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, who emerged the Nigerian Muslim Personality of the Year 2020.
Other awardees present included Alhaji Femi Abbas,a veteran journalist; Barrister Ibrahim Yakubu Umar,Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria; Dr. Saliu Oyelami,MD Shifauk Hospital, Akure and CEO, Aroleorisun Network, who were awarded the Nigerian Muslim Media, Legal and Health Persons of the Year 2020, respectively.
Fake news, Nigeria’s undoing — Pantami
Speaking at the event via zoom, Prof. Pantami called on Nigerians, particularly media practitioners to eschew the spread of fake news, saying it’s among the causes of disunity in the country.
Popularly known as Sheikh Pantamiby fellow Muslims, the Minister who also chaired the event said that Islam denounces fake news, adding that there is no place in the Qur’an and Hadith that encourages spread of falsehood.
The Minister, noted that the theme of the Anniversary event is very apt.
According to him, discussing the negative impacts of media framing, fake news and hate speech and proffering solutions is one of the most important things to always discuss and address, especially at this point.
“Fake and biased news is one of the issues causing disunity in our country. Irrespective of our religion or tribe, we must try to promote goodness, speak the truth, do what is right and encourage others to do what is right. In all the verses of the Qur’an, there is no place Allah agreed with fake news.
“For example, if you look at Suratul Hujuraat, Q.49; verse 6, Allah draws our attention to the need for investigating. The Qur’an says, Oh you who believe, if an evil person comes to you with any news, investigate so that you will not harm people out of ignorance and thereafter you regret your action. This verse is the foundation of the fight against fake news. As Muslims, even if someone attacks us with fake news, we must not respond to him with same. Rather we should be objective and fair to him.
“For our friends who are in the media, they should always abide by this rule of investigating. This goes beyond the ethics of journalism. It is part of the ethics of Islam as a religion. If we can comply with this, we will make Nigeria a better place for all.”
While commending Muslim News for its consistency in spreading the truth and promoting goodness in the last three years of its existence, the Minister warned propagators of fake news, saying Allah does not take the issue of fake news with levity as it constitutes a grievous misdeed.
He urged Nigerians to promote facts, justice and fairness to all, as it is rewarding and has the tendency of making the country a better place for everyone. READ HIS FULL KEYNOTE ADDRESS HERE
They created imaginary Islam, started loading their own ideas into it – Femi Abbas
Alhaji Femi Abbas, veteran journalist and renowned columnist in his keynote speech on the topic: “Curbing Negative Media Framing of Muslims: Best Approaches”, said media framing of Islam dates back to 1859 when journalism was packaged to us alongside Christianity.
According to him, “Media framing of Islam dates back to 1859 when journalism was packaged to us alongside Christianity. The place was Abeokuta. All sorts of things were packed into it, especially the ones that will affect Islam.
“They created their imaginary Islam, started loading their own ideas into it and turned it into propaganda to smear Islam to whoever reads about it, so that as you are reading, you will begin to develop hatred for the religion called Islam.
“Muslims do not see rivalry in other religions, but our counterparts, especially in Christianity see it as such, believing the only way to propagate their religion is to smear Islam, believing doing so will create hatred for it”.
Speaking on his nomination as the Nigerian Muslim Media Person of the Year, the columnist expressed his indifference to awards.
“When AbdurRasheed got in touch with him, I told him I am indifferent to awards. Whatever I do in the way of Islam, I expect the reward from Allah. So, this award is the 52nd but I accepted only one before the one given to me by Muslim News. That’s my nature. I don’t make noise, I prefer my work to speak for itself.”
Alhaji Abbas, however, eulogised the establishment of Muslim News Nigeria in August, 2018, saying its advent is timely, especially at the time the Ummah needs a mouthpiece. He urged Muslims to buckle down and give required support to the media platform. READ HIS FULL KEYNOTE ADDRESS HERE
Islam Channel Founder advocates Prophetic solution to adversary media
Founder of UK-based Islam Channel, Mohamed Ali Harrath, during his keynote address, said Prophetic methodology remains the best approach to curbing negative and adversary media.
The Tunisian-born, UK-based activist who emerged Global Muslim Media Person of the Year 2020 said Muslims have been subjects of framing in the media such that any positive news about them is no news; while negative news about them are wildly spread.
Ali Harrath during his presentation
The media entrepreneur gave a practical illustration of media framing as he narrated an incident that happened to him with the BBC after the November 2015 bombing in France, which led to the death many civilians.
“They called me and asked me to take part in a debate on a live show at the BBC studio. I agreed with them and everything was arranged, including the transport and all.
“While the arrangement was on, they asked me, ‘by the way, what do you think of what happened?’ I told them what happened is a heinous crime because it’s against civilians. And, that was the end of it. No cab was there to pick me up, no participation, nothing again! Because they thought I was going to come to the studio and call them kafir (unbelievers), who deserve to be killed. When they didn’t get that type of answer, which was what was on their mind, they didn’t invite me again,” he said.
While thanking Muslim News for the award and the Nigerian Muslim community for the opportunity to speak at the event, he said, “It’s a given wisdom nowadays that news about Muslims, if it is positive, is not news. But if it is negative, it is news.
“One of the best approaches to curbing media framing of Muslims, according to Ali Harrath is to know what the media want and not give it to them, saying, it’s very simple. ‘The message is very clear. What they want, we know it. Should we give it to them, absolutely no!’ This is the way forward for us.”
On adopting the Prophetic approach to
curbing negative and adversary media, Ali Harrath cited two incidents during the time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
He said, “First, one of the hypocrites said when we go back to Madinah, Muhammad (SAW) will be humiliated and kicked out because I am the leader of Madinah. Umar (RA) sought the Prophet’s permission to punish the hypocrite, but he (SAW) said to him, don’t do that. Umar asked why? He (SAW) said, the people will say the Prophet is killing his companions.”
“This hypocrite isn’t one of his companions, but the negative media back then will paint it in that manner. The Islamophobic media would have reported that he claimed to be a Prophet, yet killing his companions, a criminal act that no one among the Prophets who came before him had done. READ HIS FULL KEYNOTE ADDRESS HERE
OTHER GUEST SPEAKERS
Da’wah is the solution to overcoming media framing – Dr. Abdul Hakeem
Former Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. (Dr.) AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef in his goodwill message called on Muslim Professionals to actively get involved in Da’wah activities.
He posited that beautiful presentation of the universality of Islamic message remains a veritable solution to overcoming media framing.
The former Lagos Commissioner advised Muslims across various professions not to leave the propagation of Islam entirely to the traditional scholars (local Mallams), saying that they must also be actively involved too.
According to him, “Islamophobia isn’t strange. Muslimophobia is also not new. People are afraid of Islam, because there is deliberate distortion of its beautiful and holy name.
“There are three categories of people, namely: the enemies who can never paint Islam well. We also have the ignorant Muslims who demarket Islam by presenting it in an unmarketable way; and the last category are Muslims who, though conscious of their religion, have been painted in bad light.
“One way out for us is to engage in Da’wah at all levels with continuous enlightenment. And in doing this, Muslim professionals in law, medicine, media, education and others must also get involved in the propagation of Islam”, he noted. READ HIS FULL GOODWILL MESSAGE HERE
MUSLIM MEDIA PRACTITIONERS SPEAK…
The former chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Dr Qasim Akinreti has charged Muslim News to compete with its counterparts in the mainstream media in terms of reach and bounds.
In his words, “I say congratulations to Muslim News Nigeria for the value adding, positive and developmental initiative of Muslims globally and bringing well researched and documented issues to the front and of course being a Muslim media organisation, it has also been extremely passionate in also reporting secular issues and more importantly, it has taken the issue of human rights of muslims as one of the major which we have known them for.
“My wish for Muslim News in coming years is for them to compete well with their peers and also to grow in reach and bounds, and I also hope there will be tremendously assistance from the Ummah. It takes a lot to grow.
“Media is business globally and I want to say Muslim News should also take advantage of the business angle of the media. Yes, it’s promoting Islam as a religion and its personalities, it also need to grow its own business.
“I want to see Muslim News diversifying into other areas. Carry out research on Muslim issues, do opinion polls in major issues online, using Google as a tool. That’s what I want to see,” he stated.
Also speaking, veteran broadcast journalist, Alhaji Tajudeen Uzamot also commended the effort of the media outlet, describing it as the mouthpiece of Islam and Muslims, home and abroad.
The CEO of Uzamot Communications said, “Indeed to congratulate Muslim Newspaper on their 3rd anniversary and Award 2020. Honestly speaking, Muslim News Nigeria, under the able leadership of my dear brother, Abdul Rasheed, is representing Islam very well. They are the mouthpiece of Islam in Nigeria and all over the world. We need to assist this particular newspaper and I need to commend the other people who are really working with him.
“It has been representing Islam very well in all ramifications. I urge all Nigerians most especially Muslims to rise and support this particular newspaper. I was so marvelled when I got here and so many people who came and poured encomiums on the newspaper. Honestly speaking, if you give them support and assistance, it’s going to represent them both locally and international,” he emphasized.
The former chairperson of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Hajiah Sakinat Lawal also hailed the reportage style of Muslim News on issues affecting Muslims and Islam.
Hajiah Lawal encouraged its management not to rest on its laurel.
In her words, she said “Muslim News has done a great job. They’ve really done well in terms of portraying Islam in good light. Saying what Islam really stands for, celebrating Muslim icons, those who are doing well in their various professions and fields of endeavour, and telling the world the truth, changing the narratives.
“We have a lot of wrong notions, stereotype, Islamophobia all over the place, where many people are not saying the truth. It’s just propaganda in many places, thereby causing crisis. We thank God for Muslim News coming on board in the last three years changing the narratives.
“In terms of contribution to reporting Islam in Nigeria and abroad, their activities in the last 3 years have been highly commendable and we need more of such and hope the management of the newspaper will maintain its objectivity and ethics of the Journalism profession as it’s been doing in the last 3 years, because this is key and germane and for most of the media outlets, this is what is missing. Many people no longer follow the ethics of the profession. They just dance to the tune of their owners or whoever’s interest they are in support of.”
The Group Managing Director of Complete Communications Limited (CCL), the Publisher of Complete Sports, Dr Mumuni Alao also charged the Muslim ummah to support Muslim News, Nigeria’s most authoritative Islamic Newspaper through sponsorship and donations, saying these are part of the means of sustaining the publication.
Dr Mumuni, who recently completed his PhD programme at the prestigious University of Lagos, eulogised the outlet for its striving for media balance while noting it came at the right time.
“What I want to talk about is sustainability. Alhamdulilah, Abdurrasheed and his team have done well in projecting the publication and I know what it takes to sustain a publication, whether print or online. Just as our father (Alhaji Femi Abbas) said earlier, Muslim News has come at the right time.
“The chances for survival are very bright because you are dealing with the internet and then you can do a lot of cost management for the publication to continue to survive forever. I will be interfacing with you a lot more in that direction and how to sustainably run the publication. You have done well so far, but you can only get better.
“For us here, what we can do for Muslim News Nigeria is to give our widow’s mite. There is no shame in asking for support, especially for an Islamic media like this. Media platforms in the UK do that”, he buttressed.
He further congratulated the awards recipients and charged them for continuity of their good works.
“Congratulations to Abdurrasheed and his team. 3 years of Muslim News Nigeria. Also, to Alhaji Femi Abbas and other awardees, to whom much is given, much is expected. The reward for good work is more work.” READ THEIR FULL GOODWILL MESSAGES HERE
The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Hajiah Rafiat Idowu Sanni traced the under-reporting of Muslims in the media to their negligence in celebrating their own successes.
Hajiah Rofiat, while speaking at the #MNAwards2020, said that it’s her delight to see that Muslim News is celebrating Muslim achievers in the academia and in different professions through its publication.
The newly appointed Amirah of FOMWAN, an umbrella body for the Nigerian Muslim Women Organisations therefore emphasised the need for Muslim personalities and organisations to support Muslim News, so that copies of its print edition can be circulated across Nigeria.
According to her, “I do tell people, it’s because we don’t celebrate the blessings of Allah among ourselves, that is why people erroneously believe the Muslims are not making it. But today, Muslim News has done it for us, by celebrating our achievements. AlhamduliLlah, that our prayers over the years have come to fruition today through this publication.
“When you read the newspaper, you see it celebrating one Muslim student’s emergence as the best graduating student in his or her school. Another one, most especially, in Hijab, coming first in her school and so on. If these continue, people will stop telling us that Muslims are failures. So, we appreciate Muslim News. You are doing a very good job. May Allah reward you abundantly,” she noted.
She therefore called on the Muslims to patronise the newspaper by buying several copies for free distribution to offices and homes. According to her, “On this note I would want everyone of us to contribute to Muslim News, to buy as many as possible and distribute to people in our offices, schools, even at home to our children, so that they will know and will appreciate the blessings of Islam
Muslim News breaking jinx of reportage
She further appreciated Muslim News for its regular and in-depth coverage of FOMWAN activities, especially during the recently held 36th National Conference. She said, “I had never set my eyes on brother Abdurrasheed until this morning, but what he did during the last election has never happened in the 36-year history of FOMWAN.
“I shed tears when I saw people calling me from different places and just because of that contribution of his to the result of the FOMWAN National Election, I have gotten appointments in many places to participate in their conferences and activities.
“If I’ve never seen you in my life, I’ve never known you and you were able to do this for us — all Muslim women in Nigeria and Abroad, I say Jazakallahu khairan.
“FOMWAN is not only in Nigeria, that of Nigeria is FOMWAN, that of UK is FOMWA UK, that of US is FOMWA US, that of Liberia is FOMWAL, that of Sierra Leone is FOMWASL, that of Ghana is FOMWAG. So, if you work within the confines of your room or office and it was all blown across the whole world, it means your reward has no limit. May Allah reward you abundantly for making us proud.
“As I do tell our people in FOMWAN, when we were very young, by the time we were bearing children, I was about 4 months pregnant with my second child when we went to Kano in 1985, where the idea of FOMWAN came up. When our mothers like Mama Adekola, Alhaja Fatimah Dele, Alhaja Tafa Salam, Alhaja Oyero, Alhaja Adams, Alhaja Alokolodo, Alhaja Akinola and a host of our mothers in Oyo State came to FOMWAN meetings, they will donate any amount they had, be it 1 Naira or 50 Naira for sadaqa. They will tell everyone to thank Allah on their behalf for their sons or daughters emerging best graduating students in their schools.
“As my own mother always told me, anywhere you see them doing good things, go there and beg Allah. I will just move to one corner of FOMWAN room and say, the child of Alhaja Ayero is a Medical Doctor, I want my child to be a Medical Doctor too, the children of other persons are pharmacists, lawyers, and so on, I want my children to be successful. Do you know that today, all the prayers said in those days have become fruitful. Alhamdulillah”, she noted. READ HER FULL SPEECH HERE
OTHER HIGHLIGHT
HCFI, IMAN provides free medical screening
A Non-governmental Organisation, Human Concern Foundation International (HCFI) conducted free medical screening for the first 50 attendees at the Muslim News Nigeria 3rd Anniversary Lecture/#MNAwards2020.
One of the representatives of HCFI, the facilitators of the pre-event medical screening, Mr. Olaiya Abdul Hafeez (MLS) expressed appreciation for the invitation to carry out the screening in conjunction with the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Lagos State chapter.
Mr. Olaiya said Muslim News has been doing very well in the area of celebrating Muslim achievers since its inception, adding that, “we deemed it fit to honour this invitation by our brother, the publisher of Muslim News and today, we’ll be checking their vitals, blood pressure, sugar level, among others.”
Speaking further, Mr. Olaiya who led his team to the venue, said, “We also created the opportunity for a consultation where we counsel them on healthy living and if there is need for referral, we definitely do.”
One of the first attendees that benefitted from the exercise was Alhaji Femi Abbas, guest lecturer and one of the awardees at the event, honoured for his decades-long contributions to journalism in Nigeria.
The NGO also provided free face masks for the participants and provided facilities to wash their hands and apply sanitisers, following the COVID-19 protocols.
The publisher of Muslim News Nigeria, Rasheed Abubakar thanked Allah and then those who made the event a success story.
According to him, “I feel extremely happy with the turn out of this event after months of planning. Alhamdulillah for the success and those that made it come to a reality, especially the professional Muslim bodies that worked together with us to ensure credible winners emerged from law, health, finance, and media sectors without forgetting the Muslim Celebrity Category which was won by Ahmed Musa, Super Eagle’s captain who now plays for Turkish Club, Fatih Karagumruk.
“Next year will be bigger, in shaa Allah, as we introduce more professional bodies, especially teaching, who deserve to be recognised more while they’re alive. We want to correct the notion that the teachers rewards are only in heaven. Ditto other professions. We want to encourage Muslim individuals to team up with their professional bodies and make meaningful contributions to the Ummah and the nation at large. Islam and developmental project cannot be done in isolation,” he added.
The event was also attended by the Chairman, Lagos State chapter of Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria, MULAN, Barr. Ajibola Kaka; Amirah of the Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria, Hajiah Rafiah Sanni; Former Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Dr Qasim Akinreti; MD/CEO of Complete Sports, Alhaji Mumuni Alao; Alhaji Tajudeen Uzamat of Uzamat Communications, Publicity Secretary, Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU), Alhaji Abdul Fatah Olajide, representatives of TMC, The Companion, and Lekki Muslim Ummah, among others.
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