– Urges Muslims to embrace peace, extend affection to other Nigerians
A renowned Islamic organisation founded on unity and brotherhood, the Organisation of Muslim Unity in Nigeria (OMU) has called on Muslims to embrace peace, harmony and relate with themselves as brethren following the teachings of Islam.
Speaking on Sunday during an open-air lecture organised to mark the organisation’s Golden Jubilee Anniversary which was held in Lagos, the National Amir of OMU, Alhaji (Engr.) Abdul-Waheed Shittu also urged Muslim faithful to be kind to non-Muslims.
“The organisation was founded in 1973 to promote unity among Nigerians, invite people to Islam and open the eyes of the populace to things that will foster unity and progress among Muslims in Nigeria”, said the Amir, as he welcomed guests to the event marking the 3-day anniversary lecture.
Muslim News gathered that the anniversary event began on Friday with a special Juma’ah service led by the National Amir at Muslim Unity School Central Mosque, Idimu, which centered on the unity of Muslims in a heterogeneous society.
The event was attended by members, friends and well-wishers of OMU from across Lagos and beyond.
On Saturday, day 2 of the celebration, the OMU team embarked on a welfare visit to Orile-Agege General Hospital at Ile-Epo in Lagos.
At the hospital, the OMU delegation donated valuable items to the patients therein and offset the medical bills of some insolvent patients.
…calls for peace among Nigerians
Alhaji Shittu while speaking at the grand finale lecture at Muslim Unity School Hall, laid emphasis on the concept of oneness in Islam and called for peace among Nigerians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
He said the organisation has remained committed to unity for the last five decades.
According to him, OMU devices ways of promoting unity and progress among Muslims.
While highlighting some of its achievements, Alhaji Shittu said, “We build mosques, institutions of learning and organize symposia around the topic of peace and other relevant discourse. We have numerous programmes and projects bordering on unity and progress.”
I am very happy to be the Rais: Alhaji Adam
Speaking on the celebration, the Rais (Chairman), OMU Lagos State, Alhaji Saheed Adam thanked Allah (SWT) who made it possible.
He could not contain his happiness for being the Rais at a very important time in the history of the organisation.
“I am very happy to be the Rais at the time we are celebrating our 50th anniversary, which began on Friday with a special Juma’ah, followed by visitation to the hospital on Saturday before today’s event.
The climax of the golden jubilee celebration will be taking place in December, bi idhnillah”, he noted.
The Hallmark of Islam is unity – Ustadh Jimoh
Missioner of the organisation, Ustadh Abdul Wasiu Jimoh, who delivered a lecture with the theme: “Unity: the hallmark of Islam” said that Islam has been the epitome of peace, unity and brotherhood.
He noted that Muslims have always cohabited with people of different faiths and beliefs without any cause for alarm.
“It is saddening that today, we’re comfortable promoting disunity and divide. We are quick to talk about our differences, we forget that as Muslims, we all believe in Allah and follow the teachings of his Prophet (PBUH).”
He urged Muslims to learn to embrace unity and coexist peacefully with Muslims and non-Muslims.
A lingua franca would have solved the Nigerian problem of disunity – Prof. Abari
Prof. Abari, a professor of Education Management at Lagos State University, (LASU) noted that the absence of a lingua franca is a major sponsor of disunity in Nigeria.
“The problem here in Nigeria is the absence of a singular language for communication. France and China for instance are developing rapidly, because there’s a general language for communication and everyone understands the said language. As God will have it, we don’t have such a language in Nigeria.
He added that since there was no such language, we need to upgrade our indigenous languages.
“I want us to take a cue in our indigenous languages, the mother tongues, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, upgrade their status so that they become means for national discourse and everyone feels safe.”
He concluded that more should be done about using indigenous languages for instruction in primary schools as it further promotes peace, unity and progress within the country.
