* Say memorisation is the beginning of lifelong responsibility
The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta, Professor Fatiu Abiola Arogundade, and other stakeholders have charged The Fajr Centre’s second cohort of Qur’an memorisers to sustain their relationship with the Holy Book and reflect its teachings in their character, conduct and service to humanity.
The charge was given on Sunday, August 30, at the Centre’s second Haflatul Qur’an, held at The Companion Mosque, 254 Owutu-Isawo Road, Ikorodu, Lagos, where 27 students, comprising 20 boys and seven girls, graduated after completing the two-year residential Qur’an memorisation programme.
Other speakers at the ceremony included the Amir of Lagos District of The Companion, AbdulKabir Baruwa; former National Amir of The Companion, Dr Ahmed ‘Tunde Popoola; National Naibatul Ameerah of The Criterion, Dr Dhikratullahi Abiodun Matesun-Oshodi; and Coordinator, Ikorodu Zone of The Companion, Engr Abdul Majeed Adedeji.
The guests commended the founders, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan and his wife, Alhaja Mutiat Hassan; management, teachers, parents, sponsors and other stakeholders for their contributions to the development of the Centre, stressing that memorising the Qur’an should mark the beginning of a lifelong responsibility rather than its conclusion.
‘No better gathering than one discussing Allah’s words’
Speaking as Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Arogundade said he was delighted to associate with the programme, describing a gathering centred on the words of Allah as one of the most worthy gatherings anyone could attend.
“I felt there was no better gathering that one could attend than a gathering where the words of Allah are being discussed. So, where Qur’an memorisation is being celebrated is certainly worthy of joining such a gathering,” he said.
The FUMMS Vice-Chancellor congratulated the graduands, their parents and the management of The Fajr Centre, saying he was impressed by the students’ presentations during the ceremony.
Although he described his personal knowledge of Qur’anic recitation as limited, Arogundade said he enjoyed every bit of the students’ performances.
“If I were to rate them, I would be like a layman rating experts. However, I would say they were all wonderful. Their recitation was fantastic. Although my own knowledge of the Qur’an is limited, I enjoyed every bit of what I listened to,” he said.
Prof. Arogundade urged more parents who could afford the programme to enrol their children and pay the required fees, saying such support would enable the Centre to provide scholarships for children from needy families.
“I would encourage many more parents to send their wards there, particularly those who can afford the programme without requiring scholarships, so that the school can use its resources to fund scholarships for needy students,” he said.
He expressed optimism about the future of the Centre, citing the calibre of its teachers, proprietor and management.
“For the school, I believe this is just the beginning, and the sky is not even the limit. I believe they will continue to grow from strength to strength,” Prof. Arogundade said.
Qur’an must shape graduands’ character – Baruwa
The Amir of Lagos District of The Companion, AbdulKabir Baruwa, commended the founder of The Fajr Centre, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, and his wife, Alhaja Mutiat Hassan, for their commitment to the institution.
Alhaji Baruwa described the Qur’an as a light that should illuminate the graduates’ lives, urging them to keep it burning through constant revision and practice.
He said the Centre’s curriculum was designed to combine Qur’an memorisation with Islamic knowledge, Arabic proficiency and good character, adding that the students’ performances in Qur’an competitions testified to the quality of their training.
However, he said the true measure of their success would be how they applied their Qur’anic knowledge after graduation.
“The Qur’an should be reflected in their character, their conduct and every aspect of their lives,” Baruwa said, urging them to emulate the Prophet Muhammad and become good ambassadors of Islam.
“They are people that are not just memorising the Qur’an, but they are living the Qur’an, living by the Qur’an and acting by the Qur’an,” he said.
Alhaji Baruwa urged the graduates to sustain muraja’ah, the regular revision of memorised portions of the Qur’an, warning them not to allow their memorisation to diminish after leaving the Centre.
Fajr Centre brings strong organisation to Qur’an education – Popoola
The former National Amir of The Companion, Dr Ahmed ‘Tunde Popoola, described The Fajr Centre’s programme as different from those of many traditional Qur’an and Islamic schools, citing its strong organisation, curriculum, experience and commitment to Qur’anic education.
“The experience is very fantastic. It is different from what we used to see in traditional Qur’an and Islamic schools. I think they have brought a very strong level of organisational ability into it,” he said.
Dr. Popoola noted that the number of graduates had increased from 10 in 2024 to 27 in 2026, while the Centre’s 2025 and 2026 scholarship editions each attracted well over 100 applications.
He said the demand showed growing confidence in the Centre’s model of combining Qur’an memorisation with Islamic upbringing and character formation, urging stakeholders to support its expansion.
Dr. Popoola also advised the graduates, many of whom would return to formal education, to combine their studies with continuous Qur’an revision.
“Learning is a continuous thing. We have been told in Islam that you learn from cradle to grave,” he said, urging them to keep revising, reflecting on and applying the Qur’an in their daily lives.
Don’t leave Qur’an after memorisation, says Matesun-Oshodi
The National Naibatul Ameerah of The Criterion, Dr Dhikratullahi Abiodun Matesun-Oshodi, described the Haflatul Qur’an as a commendable programme and praised the founders for their commitment to Qur’anic education.
She commended the founders and their wives for their dedication to the Centre, saying the growing awareness of its activities reflected the impact of their efforts.
Dr. Matesun-Oshodi also appreciated the parents who made sacrifices to entrust their children to the Centre for two years.
She urged the graduands not to assume that their relationship with the Qur’an had ended because they had completed the memorisation programme.
“I just pray that they will not leave the Qur’an because they have just finished the programme. Nobody should leave the Qur’an; otherwise, the Qur’an may leave them,” she said.
She stressed that memorisation must be accompanied by continuous revision and practical application.
“What we need now is what you learn, put it into practice so that others too will learn something from what you learn,” she said.
She urged the graduates to teach others what they had learnt and continue to deepen their knowledge of the Qur’an and Islamic teachings.
Don’t allow the light to diminish – Adedeji
The Coordinator, Ikorodu Zone of The Companion, Engr Abdul Majeed Adedeji, reminded the graduates of the sacrifices made by their parents throughout their Qur’anic journey.
He urged them to continue with muraja’ah so that the Qur’an would remain firmly established in their memories.
Engr. Adedeji described the graduates as bearers of a special light, urging them not to allow it to diminish.
“They are now light. They should not let that light diminish. They should keep on growing. They should not diminish or go into darkness,” he said.
He also reminded them of the spiritual benefits of Qur’an memorisation and encouraged them to make the Qur’an a guide for their lives.
Fajr graduands thrill parents with Qur’an recitations
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the recitation session, during which each graduand was called upon to recite portions of the Qur’an they had memorised before the guests, parents and family members.
The presentation drew excitement and pride from the parents, who watched their children demonstrate the fruits of the two-year memorisation programme.
Parent recounts son’s transformation
One of the parents, Mrs Muyibah Olugbade Akorede, whose son, AbdulHafeez Akanni Akorede, graduated from the programme, said she witnessed significant changes in him during his two years at the Centre.
She said her son already loved Islam and the Qur’an before joining Fajr Centre but became more mature in his reasoning, speech and outlook.
“He loves Deen, he loves the Qur’an, and he was just learning on his own. The bulk of what he knew before coming here was all on his own, of course, with mum and dad,” she said.
Mrs. Akorede said the transformation was evident in his reasoning, speech and appreciation of Deen.
“Within two years, there’s been a drastic change in the way he reasons, the way he talks and the way he views things,” she said.
She added that the family had planned for him to continue muraja’ah at home while pursuing his formal education, including participating in Qur’anic activities at the mosque.
Details of the graduands, as well as remarks by the Centre’s management, founder and other stakeholders, are contained in a separate report. Read it HERE
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