By Abdul-Mumin Abdul-Quadir
Unity, essential for peace, growth: Ejigbo LCDA Boss
* TMC aims to eliminate disunity within Ummah – Lagos Waali
Renowned Islamic scholar and District Counsellor, Education District VI, Oshodi, Lagos, Dr. Ishaq Abdul-Yaqeen Dada has warned that disunity among Muslims remains the greatest threat facing the Ummah locally and globally.
Dr. Abdul-Yaqeen Dada made this assertion at The Muslim Congress (TMC) Lagos State Quarterly Public Lecture held on Sunday, June 29, at Youth/Sports Center, LSDPC Estate in Isolo, Lagos.
Muslim News gathered that the event, which coincided with the commemoration of the new Islamic year 1447 AH, xrayed the dangers of disunity among Muslims.
The well-attended public lecture under the chairmanship of Hon. Monsurudeen Oloyede Bello, the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, brought together scholars, community leaders, government representatives, and members of the faith-based organisation from across the state.
Speaking on the theme “Reflecting Between the Years: Dangers of Disunity Among the Ummah,” Dr. Abdul-Yaqeen Dada called for unity and harmony among Muslim individuals and groups, in a bid to safeguard the rights and interest of the Ummah.
Marginalisation of Muslims
Speaking further, the Education District Counsellor lamented the marginalisation of Muslims across spheres of governance, particularly in the southwest region of Nigeria.
“As we speak, how many governors in the southwest are Muslims? No one is complaining. Let the reverse be the case, and there will be an uproar. They present Christian candidates repeatedly, as if Muslims are not capable of leading,” he said.
He also raised concerns over what he described as systemic exclusion of Muslims from political appointments. “We had a Muslim-Muslim ticket at the federal level, yet Muslims are being treated as second-class citizens. Is the federal government saying no Muslims are qualified for key appointments?”
Implications of disunity among Muslims
Highlighting global implications of Muslim disunity, he referenced the unrest in the Middle East. “How will Jews come from different parts of the world and lay claim to Palestinian land while Muslim nations in the region look on? If countries like Jordan, Syria, Egypt, and Iran unite and speak with one voice, Israel and its allies will be powerless.”
Dr. Abdul-Yaqeen Dada warned that internal disunity makes Muslims vulnerable to Islamophobic attacks, citing a recent incident in Ondo State where Muslim women were assaulted by masqueraders. “We saw it. The victims were punished instead of being protected. Yet, the world moved on,” he said.
The scholar urged Muslims to transcend petty differences and unite around shared values and goals. “Unity is non-negotiable. We must drop permissible differences and come together to defend the Ummah,” he advised.
Our aim is to eliminate disunity among Muslim Ummah – Waali
Earlier in his remarks, Mallam Tajudeen Yusuf Olusesi, Waali of TMC Lagos, explained the rationale behind the lecture, saying that it’s one of their efforts to address societal issues.
He noted that the problems facing Muslims stem from disunity and dissidence, which exist among different Islamic groups, adding that TMC takes it upon itself to address pressing issues from time to time, in its quest to advance societal reforms, which it was founded to champion.
He said: “The Muslim Congress is a non-governmental and non-partisan organisation, established in 1994, to be the foremost organisation guiding, influencing and setting agenda for societal reforms. In our effort to guide society, we do regular lectures and programmes. The State Public Lecture that has brought us here today is one of our many programmes where we educate the Muslim Ummah on issues affecting society.
“It’s held quarterly, and this is the second edition for the year 2025. Fortunately, it coincides with the new Islamic year; 1447.”
He noted that his organisation is conversant with all that happened to Muslims in the 1446 Hijrah year and years before. Realising that things would have played out better if Muslims were united, TMC chose to make everyone see the need for unity.
“The reason behind this is to address the dangers of disunity among Muslims. We found out that the problems we are having across the nation and globally as Muslims are as a result of the disunity among us. That’s why the theme for today is “Reflecting Between the years: Dangers of Disunity Among the Ummah,” and we’ve invited an erudite scholar, Dr Ishaq Abdul-Yaqeen Dada.
“The lecture aims to curb dangers of disunity to the barest minimum. I’m certain that everyone here will go home differently from who they used to be.”
He concluded that TMC is ever open to partnership and collaboration with other organisations, as there are external affairs officers who liaise with different groups and organisations at all levels of its administration. He also added that measures are being put in place to further advance unity among Muslims in Lagos and Nigeria in its entirety.
Unity, essential for peace, growth in any society: Ejigbo LCDA Boss
The lecture also had in attendance Hon. Monsurudeen Oloyede Bello, the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, represented by Hon. Bello Ganiyu, Supervisor for Education, who lauded the TMC for the initiative.
He noted that unity is essential for the peace, growth, and development of any society.
“This initiative is welcome. In fact, unity is essential for any society to thrive. We really need to overlook our differences and work together to ensure remarkable growth and development.
“On our own at Ejigbo LCDA, we’ll continue to work relentlessly in fostering peace and unity among our people.”
He prayed for TMC and urged the organisation to continue the good work.
Muslims need to re-establish their relevance in society: Chief Imam Islahudeen
Also, speaking at the event, Sheikh Olaniyi Abdul-Ganiyy, Chief Imam, Islahudeen Central Mosque in Mafoluku, told Muslim News, that he honoured TMC’s invitation because of the society’s firmness and adherence to the Sunnah.
He said: “Since I’ve known TMC, they’ve always upheld the truth, and they do things in line with the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). So, whenever I hear about any of their programmes, I make a point of duty to attend. That’s why I’m here today. ”
He opined that the discussion on unity was pertinent, as Muslims need to re-establish their relevance in society.
“The theme of the lecture is very relevant. May Allah SWT make it easy for us to implement the lessons. The disunity among us is really affecting us. We must remedy the situation early enough.
“As Muslims, we’ve been rankshifted and marginalised in our own land. The non-Muslims use all the power they have to their advantage. We must do the same as Muslims. Whenever they try to introduce anything that does not settle with Islamic tenets, we must stand together and speak against it in one voice.”
He advised Imams and clergymen to create fora where issues affecting Muslims will be discussed for ways forward and implored TMC to continue upholding the truth.
Participants share personal testimonies
Attendees also shared personal testimonies on the lecture’s impact. Abdus-Salam Abdur-Rahman, an undergraduate, said: “The programme is very enlightening. It has influenced me as a person. I was always disinterested in student unionism, but I know better now. Hence, I should be more participatory. I’ve also seen the need to study hard and develop myself because without knowledge and information, one would be irrelevant.”
Mr Kazeem Fadairo said, “The lecture is beneficial in so many ways. The lecturer has said so much about happenings around the world, which many may not know. May Allah SWT continue to strengthen TMC to organise great programmes like this.”
Alhaja Sururat Jafar said: “The programme was well organised, and the lecturer really dished out value. I must say I’m a changed person now, and I’ll do things differently. However, I’d advise the organisers to do more about the publicity of programmes like this. More people need to know about it.”
The open-air programme also featured medical screening on different health issues for hundreds of beneficiaries. The screning included Prostate Specific Antigen for 25 45+ men, Malaria Antigen for 150 persons, blood sugar for 200 people, and blood pressure.
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