By AbdulMumin AbdulQadir and Ruqayah Alli
• Al-Mu’minaat mourns passing of members, scales down camp activities
• Holds Solatul al-Gha’ib (absentee funeral prayers) for victims
Hundreds of Muslim faithful on Thursday, December 29, thronged the popular Dawah Centre of The Muslim Congress (TMC) in Ijẹbu, Ogun State, for the Janazah (funeral prayers) of five Muslim sisters and two children who died in the gruesome auto crash on Wednesday, December 28, 2022.
The victims, members of Al-Muminaat (the Believing Women), one of Nigeria’s notable Islamic organisations from Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, were burnt when their 16-seater Mazda bus that was conveying them to a camping programme went up in flames.
Muslim News findings revealed that they were on their way to a four-day training programme tagged Al-Mu’minaat Training Forum (ATF), organised by the national body of the foremost female Muslim organisation to sensitise and educate her members about Islamic tenets.
Their remains were laid to rest at the Muslim Burial ground, Oke-Eri, Ijẹbu Ode, after the Janazah (funeral prayers) led by the Grand Mufti of Conference of Islamic Organisations, CiO, Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafii’ amidst tears from hundreds of sympathisers, families and friends.
Muslim News Correspondents at the venue said there is an atmosphere of sorrow and acceptance of Allah’s decree. Sympathisers are still trying to get over the shock they got from the tragic news. Families, friends and brethren are present in large numbers.
The Nation newspaper had earlier reported that the lone accident occurred a few metres away from Odogbolu junction along the Sagamu-Benin expressway, on Wednesday,
The victims were going for a four-day training programme tagged Al-Mu’minaat Training Forum (ATF) at Vanguards Academy, Odosengolu near Ijebu-ode, Ogun state.
The bus marked AGL 886 YD suddenly exploded with flames from the engine side, setting off chaos in the bus as the agonizing passengers laboured to escape.
Five Muslim Sisters, including a pregnant woman, nursing mother and two kids were among those who lost their lives to the tragic incident.
Ten other persons with serious burns are receiving treatment at National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Gbagada General Hospital, Gbagada – all in Lagos State.
Controversies over the cancellation of camp
There has been report suggesting that the Organisation has cancelled the four-day programme which began on Wednesday at Vanguards Academy, Odosengulu, Ijẹbu-Ode, with electoral convention.
Regarding the postponement, Muslim News findings however revealed the leadership of Al-Mu’minaat is yet to make official statement on the way forward.
However, camp activities are at the low ebb in deference to the martyrs who breathe their last in the cause of Allah.
Muslim News can also confirm that there would be Salat al-Gha’ib (absentee funeral prayers) to be observed by members of the female Muslim Organisation at other venues of the camps in Abuja, Ondo and other states, while the leadership of the society remains with the families of the dead during their trying period.
Their death, shock and saddened – Amirah, Al-Mu’minaat
In a condolence message, the outgoing Amirah of the Society, Hajiah Ni’matullah Abdul-Quadir said, “It is with shock and saddened hearts that we received the news of our members that were involved in a fire accident on their way to the camp along Sagamu-Ijebu ode expressway on 28th December 2022.
“Our hearts go out at this difficult time to the families of our members who lost their lives to the cold hands of death yesterday. Our sisters died in Allah’s cause. We pray Allah forgives their sins, overlook their shortcomings and grant them al-jannah firdaus. We know no words can ease your pains, but we are rest assured that they shall certainly find peace with their Lord.
“The executives and all members of the organization nationwide commiserate with all families involved. While praying to Allah to accept the souls of our departed sisters, forgive them, grant them al-jannah firdaws and wish those recuperating in the hospitals speedy recovery
“This is indeed a trying period for our organization. We pray Allah give all the families succour and fortitude to bear the loss. We are grieved and pray for Allah’s mercy and protection on all”, she stated.
More tributes…
The CEO of Vanguards Academy, Dr Zafaran Adeniyi described the victims as martyrs, as he advises creditors who they owe any debts to speak out so their families can repay or they write off the debts.
Zafaran further explains that debts may be the only obstacles of martyrdom.
Speaking at the janazah (burial) Sheikh Qamarudeen Ajala, a relative of one of the deceased urged everyone to renew their intentions and also prepare for the unexpected journey of no return.
On his part, Sheikh Isa Akindele said that as humans, one would definitely be sad about the devastating incident, but there is a certainty that they all died as martyrs.
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