I have seen many of Asake’s videos since he arrived in Saudi Arabia for Umrah. Almost all of them reflect the beauty of Islam and show how proudly he performs the rites. But the video where he was seen sharing food with people, including pilgrims, excited me the most.
Apart from the fact that sharing food, especially during the blessed month of Ramadan and in the most blessed city of Makkah, is a beautiful act of generosity and compassion that reflects the true spirit of Islam, it also strengthens the bond of brotherhood and creates wonderful experiences among pilgrims regardless of their status.
Those who have been for pilgrimage, either Hajj or Umrah, understand this very well. In fact, the rich often share food and sometimes also receive from others, and everyone eats together. It is a moment that fosters unity, humility, and brotherhood among Muslims from different parts of the world.
Back to Asake’s love for Islam. No doubt, the kind of music through which he earns his living is considered sinful by majority of Islamic jurists, but I will leave that for scholars to discuss. What I want to highlight is his visible passion for Islam and the pride with which he identifies as a Muslim.
In an entertainment industry where some Muslim colleagues have distanced themselves from their faith, either for fame or personal choices, it is refreshing to see someone at the peak of his career openly embrace his identity as a Muslim. For someone like Asake, who is among the biggest music stars in Nigeria today and gaining global recognition, this is significant and deserves acknowledgement.
One does not need to be confused about the joy surrounding his actions. From the very beginning, when he was seen observing Jumu’ah prayers at the Lekki Central Mosque, to his visible zeal to touch the Kaaba, and now distributing food to people, including pilgrims in Makkah during Ramadan, his enthusiasm has been evident.
Ordinarily, if he had a proactive management team, he could even have been formally hosted by the Saudi authorities. One of the reasons the kingdom established the Ministry of Culture and other cultural institutions is to engage influential global personalities during their visits to the House of Allah.
They obviously know Asake, but they may not have had formal information about his presence for Umrah. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques often honours pilgrims and acknowledges the presence of world leaders, entertainers and influential figures.
Recently, the Ministry of Culture honoured renowned Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, as well as Ugandan TikToker Tenge Tenge, who received a notable reception, among others. Asake could also have been honoured, unless his management did not make the necessary arrangements or he personally chose to keep a low profile.
The bigger question, however, is what the Muslim community in Nigeria should do to positively engage someone like Asake so that the spiritual connection he is showing does not fade after Ramadan. Moments like this should not end as mere social media excitement.
Rather, they should open doors for mentorship, encouragement, and constructive engagement.
I believe thoughtful Muslim elites, scholars, and organisations should reach out to him in a positive and supportive manner. Encouraging him, guiding him, and helping him maintain this visible love for Islam could go a long way not only for him personally but also for many young Muslims who look up to him.
– Rasheed Abubakar, for Muslim News Nigeria
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