By Mutiat Folake Olushola, Ilorin
Prominent Muslim scholars in Nigeria have called for reconciliation, peaceful coexistence, and unity among Muslim scholars and the wider Ummah at the inaugural National Muslim Peace Conference in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Held on Tuesday, 19th November at Peace Hotel, the conference aimed to foster unity and uphold the peaceful values of Islam.
Delivering his keynote address, Professor AbdulMajeed Alaro, stressed the urgent need for a unifying peace accord among Muslim groups, calling for tolerance, pure intentions, and personal sacrifice on the principle of give and take to achieve lasting unity within the Muslim Ummah.
Professor Alaro urged Muslim scholars to retrace their steps by emulating the exemplary lifestyle of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which he described as a model for all Muslims, emphasizing that peace is essential for scholars to effectively deliver the message of Allah.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Council of Ulamas in Kwara State, Justice Saliu Olohuntoyin Muhammad, pledged to convey the conference’s resolutions to the Ulamas and assured the attendees that incorporating security personnel into the Council of Ulamas would be explored to ensure peaceful coexistence and enforce proposed peace agreements.
The National Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Centre in Abuja, Sheikh Fuad Adeyemi, implored wealthy Muslims to support the less privileged and further emphasized that reducing inequality would foster harmony within the Muslim Ummah.
Another keynote speaker, the CEO of Positive Global Image Service Consult Limited, Mallam Nasir AbdulKadir, urged Muslim scholars to guide young Muslims toward positive paths, stressing the importance of channeling their energy and potential into becoming responsible ambassadors of Islam.
While delivering his remarks at the event, the Grand Mufti of Ilorin, Sheikh Farouk Onikijipa, urged Muslim scholars to avoid unhealthy competition among themselves, stressing that such actions only foster disunity, which contradicts the principle of unity in Islam.
Sheikh Onikijipa also harped on the importance of collaboration among the Shari’a Court of Appeal, the Council of Ulamas, and the Office of the Grand Mufti.
He called for the establishment of a strong synergy between these bodies to promote lasting peace and further strengthen the unity of the entire Muslim Ummah.
Also speaking at the event, the National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Ahmad called on scholars to avoid interfering in politics and recommended disciplinary measures for preachers who use social media to incite violence in the name of Islam.
Commending the convener of the conference, Dr. Salihu Alabi Hammed, for organizing the peace conference in Ilorin, Sheikh Onikijipa expressed the hope that the initiative would expand across the country, contributing to overall peace and unity among Muslims
The scholars, therefore, praised the convener of the Ilorin National Muslim Peace Conference, Dr. Salihu Alabi Hammed, for his vision and dedication to fostering peace among various Muslim groups and encouraged the Muslim Ummah to support his efforts in achieving greater success in his mission for peace and unity.
Earlier, Dr Salihu Alabi Hammed, explained that the division among Muslim scholars necessitated the conference and expressed hope for its impact in uniting the Ummah.
Sponsored by Senator Salihu Mustapha, the event attracted notable attendees such as the Secretary to the Government of Kwara State, Alhaji Muhammad Mahe AbdulKadir; the Grand Khadi, Kwara State Shari’a Court of Appeal, Justice Abdullateef Muhammad Kamaldeen; Justice Idris Haroun; Olupako of Share; Oba Haruna Olawale Ilufemiloye, and other academics, Muslim elders, students from various Islamic schools and teachers.
Faces at the event
