• As group rounds off annual event with Unity Day
A faith-based organisation, Al-Mu’minaat (The Believing Women), on Sunday, August 27, concluded programmes lined up to celebrate the 1445AH Al-Mu’minaat Week.
The grand finale which took place at Da’wah Centre, Ijesha, Lagos, brought together Muslim women from different Islamic organisations, including the women wings of NASFAT, Qareeb, Izhaarul Haqq, Guild of Muslim Professionals (GMP), and Akhwaat, as well as FOMWAN, among others.
Muslim News gathered that the week-long event started with a special Jum’ah prayer on August 18 that held across selected mosques in 21 local government areas of Lagos State, with the topic ‘Child Upbringing’.
Other activities that heralded the Al-Mu’minaat Week with the theme, “The Builder”, included a medical caravan across the 21 LGAs which featured a sensitisation on arthritis and free medical checkup for hepatitis, malaria and blood sugar.
The Muslim women also marked the week with a professional forum and a media tour of Bond FM.
According to Hajia Bilqees Abiola Abdullah, Chairperson, Planning Committee, Al-Mu’minaat maintains a good relationship with the media for dissemination of its activities and programmes.
“Information is key in Islam. Passing the right information is very important, otherwise the society would be negatively impacted. Bond FM is grassroots oriented, and we took the message to them too that information is key in building society,” she said.
Hajia Bilqees added that there was also a special visit to Atinuke Memorial Home for the Disabled in Badagry, where they donated wheelchairs, mattresses and other items to support the facility.
Another highlight of the week was the launch of a borehole at Orisha Village, along Magodo area of Lagos State, as a special community service to the state.
The planning committee head said the community was truly in need of the project from its investigations.
“The project was contracted and executed within a period of 2 days. We eventually launched it on Thursday, August 24. This is apart from the various community service projects at each of the 21 local government areas. The programme was a success, alhamdulilah,” she said.
At the grand finale, Lagos State University (LASU) record-setter, Ms Aminat Yusuf was awarded for her excellence.
Speaking on the award, Hajia Bilqees said the Muslim lady made the ummah proud with her rare accomplishment, adding that Al-Mu’minaat intended to encourage other hijab-wearing ladies by awarding her.
“It is no news that there is a kind of struggle between truth and falsehood when it comes to using the hijab. We thank Allah that He has kept us going. He has really made us exemplars. Aminat Yusuf is one of the examples. So we just wanted to encourage other hijabites by awarding her for excellence at Lagos State University (LASU). We are never backward because we are using the hijab. Aminat has made us proud,” she stated.
Muslim News reports that Ms Aminat was unavoidably absent but her plaque award was received by Al-Mu’minaat Lagos State Da’wah Officer, Hajiah Hamdallah Musa, who is also a staff at Al-Hikmah College, the LASU scholar’s alma mater
We’re raising next generation of leaders – Amirah
In her opening remarks at the grand finale, the Lagos State Amirah (President) of Al-Mu’minaat, Hajia Bushrah Adeagbo-Jubril said Muslim women are raising the next generation of leaders and ambassadors, adding that the world cannot do without them.
She commended all invited organisations and members for their attendance at the event which she described as wonderful.
“Today is Women’s/Unity Day, the last day to wrap this intense and wonderful week, where we will be looking at the topic: Muslim Women, The Nation Builders. It is indeed a great way to round off our activities for the 1445AH Al-Mu’minaat week! AlhamduliLlah!
“If we need a reminder, then I want to tell us all that we (Muslimahs) are super amazing creatures. By Allah’s design, the world cannot do without us. We have all the power and energy to make the world a better place. If we need any evidence, then let us ponder on what we are doing in our various houses, with our various families. We are raising the next generation of leaders and ambassadors for Islam, and it is not an easy task. Who else will do it, if not us?”
Hajia Adeagbo-Jubril said she was fulfilled with the various activities used to mark the week, expressing hope that participants would become better individuals.
“The value of women in Islam is undeniable to any logical mind. Women are the mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters of society (raisers of generations, builders of nations). Women play important roles in raising upright children, upholding Islam in the home, and establishing religious values to those around them and beyond,” she said.
“My sisters in faith, I am fulfilled that we did every activity of the week together. I am certain that we are ending the week as different people. I am delighted that we pulled this off excellently. Let us carry this energy back to our homes, neighbourhoods and to our friends. The energy that we are amazing and wonderful individuals who can do anything we set our minds to. Do not forget that Allah (SWT) can make our goals achieveable.”
The Amirah meanwhile called on governments at all levels to live up to their electoral promises.
She said the fuel subsidy removal policy is good but the immediate consequences are impacting adversely on citizens, advocating fair distribution of palliatives and repair of refineries.
“We enjoin the government to execute policies and programmes that will make life meaningful and impactful to the citizenry. The economic policy of stopping the fraudulent oil subsidy regime is no doubt commendable but the people are not enjoying the immediate consequences. So we implore the government to ensure that the palliatives are distributed with fairness and equity, not for only political party members.
“We also demand that our refineries be repaired and new ones built to crash the prices of petroleum products. In addition, efforts should be geared in the direction of making more vehicle engines that would be fueled by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Policies and investment in this alternative fuel will no doubt make our economy better. In shaa Allah.”
Muslim women should put taqwa first, says Guest Lecturer
The Guest Lecturer, Hajia Adedeji Rukayat Adebisi, said Muslim women should prioritise the fear of Allah (taqwa) in all their endeavours.
Hajia Adedeji, who works with with Ogun State Government as a vice principal, added that Muslimaat (Muslim women) should make the Holy Qur’an a guide in their lives.
“A Muslim woman is basically a unique woman who understands the purpose of her creation. She believes in Allah as her Lord and Sustainer. Her way of life is guided by the Qur’an and Islam. She does not do anything except whatever Allah has instructed her to do.
“This is the type of woman Allah describes in the Holy Qur’an (Chapter 60 Verse 12) where Allah commanded the Prophet (SAW) that when women come to you to take oath of allegiance, they should pledge that they would never associate partners with Allah. The Muslimah we are talking about is the one who will never associate partners with Allah. She will not steal others’ property. She is not a rumour monger and she takes care of her home. She is obedient to her husband and takes care of her child(ren) the right way. In society, she is honest and at work, she is the best — whether as public or private sector worker,” she said.
She emphasised that a good Muslimah should have similar public and private life.
“She must fear Allah both in public and private. She believes she would meet her Lord one day to give account,” she added.
The guest lecturer lamented that most women in the present world crave for money instead of piety.
She noted it is only when women are righteous that the nation would get better.
“In today’s world, what matters for most women is money. For a Muslim woman, money should not be what matters most, rather, the fear of Almighty Allah. This should guide whatever she is doing. That way, she will train her children, relate with her husband well. For instance, Umar Bn Abdulazeez, regarded as the fifth caliph in Islam, was born by a righteous woman. During his reign, there was justice everywhere. The animals even felt the justice. If every woman could be like the mother of Umar Bn Abdulazeez, the nation would be better for it.”
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