* National Missioner warns against superficial Muslim unity during historic visit
The national leadership of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria and Lagos Central Mosque have pledged to strengthen their longstanding relationship through closer collaboration in Islamic education, youth development, community welfare and the promotion of Islamic values for the benefit of the Muslim Ummah.
The commitment was reaffirmed on Saturday, October 17, 2026, when the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos Central Mosque, Sheikh (Engr.) Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, led a delegation of divisional imams on a courtesy visit to the recently commissioned national headquarters of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society on Fashoro Street, Surulere, Lagos.
They were received by the Society’s National President, Alhaji Prince Mosediq Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, FCArb, alongside members of the National Executive Council and Lagos State Executive Council, on behalf of the entire membership of the 103-year-old organisation.
Muslim News gathered that both leaders emphasised the need to translate their cordial relationship into practical cooperation, regular consultation and joint initiatives during the meeting that lasted for more than 2 hours.
The Society’s National Missioner, Sheikh Abdurrahman Ahmad, who led a special prayer for the two organisations and the Muslim Ummah at large, warned against superficial unity among Muslims, urging them to address internal divisions and pursue genuine reconciliation for the greater good of the Ummah.
Our Institutions must work together for the Ummah – President
Welcoming the Grand Chief Imam and his delegation, Prince Kazeem SAN, described the visit as an opportunity to strengthen the longstanding relationship between the two institutions and advance their shared commitment to Islam and the welfare of Muslims.
He recalled that the Young Ansar-Ud-Deen Society was established in Lagos in December 1923 by 42 young Muslim men concerned about the promotion of Islam and Muslim education.
“Our forefathers were not merely concerned about establishing organisations. They were concerned about building a Muslim community founded on knowledge, faith, moral discipline and service,” Prince Kazeem, SAN, said.
He stressed that the relationship between the two institutions should go beyond occasional courtesy visits to regular consultation, mutual respect and practical cooperation.
“There is strength in unity, wisdom in consultation and great value in working together for a common purpose,” he said.
“As leaders entrusted with institutions that serve the Ummah, we must always be willing to look beyond institutional boundaries and consider what we can collectively achieve for the greater good.”
Prince Kazeem, SAN, noted that both institutions shared responsibilities in Islamic education, youth development, community welfare and the promotion of Islamic values.
Leadership is an Amanah, Prince Kazeem, SAN, says
The Ansar-Ud-Deen president described leadership as an amanah (trust), saying those entrusted with religious and community institutions must protect their legacies and ensure they remain beneficial to future generations.
“We are all trustees,” he said, urging leaders to work together while respecting the distinct responsibilities of spiritual leadership, governance and administration.
He also highlighted the need to prioritise the welfare of imams, scholars and teachers while strengthening institutions to respond to the changing needs of the Muslim community.
Grand Chief Imam calls for deeper partnership
The Grand Chief Imam of Lagos Central Mosque, Sheikh (Engr.) Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, congratulated Prince Kazeem, SAN, on his emergence as National President of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society in April 2025.
Prince Kazeem, SAN, emerged through a consensus at the Society’s 11th Triennial Conference, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Sunday, April 20, 2025, succeeding Alhaji AbdulRafiu Sani, who had completed two three-year terms.
Sheikh Abou-Nolla prayed that Allah would grant Prince Kazeem, SAN, wisdom, good health, patience and strength to discharge his responsibilities, expressing hope that his tenure would further strengthen relations between Ansar-Ud-Deen Society and Lagos Central Mosque.
“Our continued collaboration in the organisation of Eid prayers demonstrates the importance of unity, consultation and cooperation among Muslim institutions,” he said.
The Grand Chief Imam called for broader collaboration in Islamic education, youth empowerment, social welfare and the promotion of Islamic values, urging both institutions to translate their discussions into practical initiatives.
Other areas of collaboration discussed
Presenting the proposed areas of discussion between Lagos Central Mosque and Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos called for stronger cooperation in education, youth development, community welfare and Islamic propagation.
“Our continued collaboration in the organisation of Eid prayers demonstrates the importance of unity, consultation, and cooperation among Muslim institutions,” Sheikh Abou-Nolla said.
He stressed the need to sustain the existing relationship, adding that “through mutual understanding, sincere dialogue, and practical cooperation, we can achieve much more for our institutions and the wider Muslim community.”
On education, Sheikh Abou-Nolla proposed support for schools established or managed by both organisations, including scholarships for indigent but academically promising Muslim students, improved educational facilities, and teacher training and professional development.
He also outlined youth empowerment initiatives, including vocational and entrepreneurial training, digital literacy, career guidance, mentorship, skills acquisition and employment support for unemployed youths.
On community welfare, the proposed areas included assistance for indigent families, widows, orphans, older people and persons with disabilities, alongside medical outreach, Ramadan feeding programmes and emergency assistance.
He also proposed exploring the mobilisation of Zakat and Sadaqah for eligible beneficiaries.
Other areas included joint Islamic lectures, seminars, Maulud Nabiyy celebrations, Ramadan lectures, Tafsir sessions and public enlightenment programmes.
To sustain the partnership, Sheikh Abou-Nolla proposed regular consultations, designated liaison officers and an action plan covering joint Eid prayers, educational support, youth empowerment and community welfare.
He expressed hope that the discussions would produce practical outcomes, saying he looked forward to “the development of concrete action points that will strengthen our partnership for the benefit of present and future generations.”
National Missioner warns against superficial Muslim unity
The Society’s National Missioner, Sheikh Abdurrahman Ahmad, who led a special prayer for the two organisations, the Muslim Ummah and Nigeria, warned against superficial unity among Muslims, urging them to address internal divisions and pursue genuine reconciliation.
During the prayer session, Sheikh Ahmad drew attention to an image depicting US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looking down into a glass enclosure where figures in traditional Middle Eastern attire and different flags appeared to be engaged in armed conflict.
Using the image to illustrate the dangers of disunity among Muslims, he said those supplying weapons for Muslims to fight one another were celebrating their divisions.
“Those enemies who gave us weapons to kill ourselves are the ones smiling and jubilating,” Ahmad said.
Referring to Qur’an 59:14, which describes people who appear united while their hearts remain divided, he cautioned that outward displays of unity could conceal deep divisions and hostility.
The eloquent Muslim scholar urged Muslims to embrace sincerity, mutual understanding and reconciliation rather than allow disagreements to escalate into bloodshed.
Sheikh Ahmad also cited the Saudi Arabia-Yemen conflict as a warning about the consequences of Muslims fighting one another.
He expressed concern about situations in which, according to his remarks, external powers support or equip Muslims to fight fellow Muslims, urging Muslim leaders to prioritise dialogue, peaceful resolution and the protection of lives.
The National Missioner prayed that Allah would unite Muslim hearts, reconcile differences, bring peace to troubled communities and strengthen relations between Ansar-Ud-Deen Society and Lagos Central Mosque.
He also prayed for the preservation of their shared history and educational legacy, as well as peace, progress and development in Nigeria.
Sponsored
Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Global Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Discover more from Muslim News Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.