* Prof Baderin, Sheikh Sayi, Oba Matemilola, Senator Yari, others to grace event Sunday
* Lagos Deputy Gov to deliver keynote address
* Seven top Muslim scholars to receive awards
* UMA Qur’an Challenge winners will be unveiled
All is now set for the much-anticipated University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA) 30th Pre-Ramadan lecture scheduled to hold on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at J.F Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, by 10 a.m.
The this year’s gathering, with the theme, “Transformative Power of Ramadan” will attract prominent Muslim personalities, including the former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari; Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, among others.
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Hamzat is expected to deliver a keynote address while the Chief Host is Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos.
To provide expert insights, Professor Mashood Baderin of the University of London, a distinguished scholar in Islamic Law and International Human Rights Law, will lead the discourse.
Also scheduled to speak is Justice Abdur-Raheem Ahmad Sayi of the Shari’ah Court of Appeal, Ilorin, whose expertise in Islamic jurisprudence is expected to shed light on the legal intricacies of the Shari’ah debate in South West Nigeria.
The programme will begin as early as 8:00am with free medical screening to be conducted by personnel from the University of Lagos College of Medicine, Idi-Araba, for all participants who arrive before 10:00am.
Speaking at the press conference held on Tuesday, February 11, at the Islamic Center of the University of Lagos, UMA President Dr Mumini Alao said the choice of the theme is to highlight the immense benefits embedded in the holy month so that the Muslim faithful can prepare to exploit them in full.
According to him, the lead topic of discussion is: “Islam at the Intersection of Humanity and Religion.”
“This topic was inspired by the apparent dilemma of Muslims on how to find the right balance between the demands of our faith and the rights of our neighbours, which sometimes might be in conflict.”
Speaking further, Dr. Mumini, a veteran sports journalist and Executive Consultant with Complete Sports, noted that the second discussion at the pre-Ramadan lecture will focus on “Shari’ah in South West Nigeria.”
Muslim News gathered that the issue of Shari’ah has, in the past few weeks, featured prominently in public discourse, especially following the development in Ekiti State, where a traditional ruler purportedly ‘banned’ the establishment of a Shari’ah Arbitration Panel as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism among willing Muslims in his domain.
“Is it true that the Shari’ah is strange to South West Nigeria? Is there no history, past or present, of its adoption and application in the private lives of willing Muslims in the region? Is it against the Nigerian Constitution for willing Muslims to opt for adjudication of some aspects of their personal lives according to the Shari’ah?
“Do traditional rulers or government officials have the power to ban private citizens from adopting an Alternative Dispute Resolution instrument of their choice?,” Dr. Mumini asked, adding that two renowned legal scholars would do justice to the carefully selected topics.
Muslim News also learnt that other highlights of Sunday’s event include the Qur’anic Recitation Challenge, free medical screening for participants (commencing as early as 8:00am), and an attempt to ensure the wellness of Muslims during the Ramadan fast.
Being a milestone, awards will be presented to past guest speakers and other deserving Muslim personalities to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the pre-Ramadan lecture of the Alumni Association.
Some of the scholars include Chief Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society Worldwide, Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Ahmad; Grand Mufti, Conference of Islamic Organizations (CIO), Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i; Mudeer, Mahdul-Iftai wan-Najaat Institute of Arabic & Islamic Studies, Sheikh Muhammed Rafiu Adebayo (Baba Loworo).
Others are Mudeer, Markaz Nurul-Islam, Sheikh Daud Alfanla AbdulMajeed; Chief Imam, Daru Na’eem Central Mosque, Sheikh Imran AbdulMajeed Eleha; Mudeer, Markaz Salaam, Sheikh Jubril Ramadan Jubril; Mudeer, Zawiyat Sofwat El-Islam, Sheikh AbduWahab Zubayr (Al-Gamawy), among others.
Dr Mumini said, “We’ve introduced some innovations this year to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the lecture. One of them is a “Qur’an Recitation Challenge” amongst primary, secondary and Arabic school children, the winners of which will be announced at the lecture.
“Then, we shall be giving out special recognition awards to some of the scholars who have delivered our lectures in the past. As usual, our medical team will offer free medical checks to early arrivals before the programme proper gets underway.”
The pre-Ramadan lecture is one of the many programmes of the UMA that brings together the institution’s Muslim alumni, who are now in different walks of life, such as business, politics, academics, and other professions.
During the last three decades, the Pre-Ramadan Lecture has established itself as the forerunner of all other Ramadan Lectures in Lagos and, indeed, the whole of South West Nigeria.
It has also been established in the University of Lagos academic calendar by the Muslim Community as an annual event to look forward to.
“This epoch-making commemorative 30th-anniversary edition promises to be very rewarding for all attendees as it ushers the holy month of Ramadan. We look forward to receiving everyone at the University of Lagos on 23rd February 2025,” Dr. Mumini said.
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