29112019

26 —Vanguard
Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, , 2019
THE Vice Chancellor,
University of Lagos,
UNILAG, Prof Oluwatoyin
Ogundipe has urged the
graduating students of Diploma
in Mosque Leadership and
Management, DMLM to be good
ambassadors of the school and
Islam, urging them to positively
change the society through their
sermons and mosque leadership.
Ogundipe stated this during the
graduation ceremony of the 30
graduating students who
received Diploma certificates in
Mosque Leadership under the
department of Religious studies
of the institution last weekend.
The Vice Chancellor who was
represented by the Dean, Faculty
of Education, Prof. Monday
Ubangha congratulated the new
Imams urging them to impact
positively on the society.
“I urge you to be good
ambassadors of the University of
Lagos and Islam. You are
carrying the certificate of the
school and you are enjoined to
be good representatives of the
school at all times,” he said.
The Coordinator of the
programme, Ag. HOD,
Department of Religious Studies,
Dr. Ismail Musa said
“Today, 30 students have been
successfully exposed to various
learning experiences including
practical demonstrations in
Tafsir and Khutbah delivery.
The programme was conceived
as a platform for professional
training of lmams and different
categories of serving or intending
officials of mosques.
“The feedback we obtain from
the beneficiaries in terms of
significant changes in their
orientation and understanding of
Rabiul Thaani 1, 1441 A.H.
UNILAG trains 30 Imams in Mosque Mgt
•VC urges them to be good ambassadors
their enormous responsibilities
is both impressive and
encouraging. Our colleagues in
the academia have also been
appraising the programme since
its inception.
Dr Musa who is also the Chief
Imam of school, said two
universities have already
indicated interest in mounting
similar programmes based on the
success story at the University of
Lagos.
“We are prepared to offer
mentoring services to whoever
decides to build capacity of
lmams to be able to meet the
needs of the 2lst century. We are
keen on improving the quality of
the programme through the
identification of further needs of
participants and responding to
them adequately.
“One critical area of challenge
is securing sponsorship for
numerous qualified participants
who are cannot afford the cost
of the programme. I take this
opportunity to call on
stakeholders to recognize the
need to support the programme
by funding our scholarship
schemes on a sustainable basis.
“Some of them have
demonstrated brilliance in
specific areas of their training. We
have decided to recognize them
specially today.
Imam Gbenle AbdulWasiy
emerged as the best graduating
student with a cumulative GPA
of 4.64. He also clinched the Best
Prize in Arabic Grammar and
Khutbat presentation, Best in
Principle of Mosque
Management and Best in
Professional Research. He was
closely followed by Imam
Mojeed Yahya Kolawole with
CGPA of 4.21.
Delivering lecture at the event,
Sheikh Ridwani Zuglool, Mudeer
of Daru-Dawah Wal-Irshad,
Arabic and Islamic Center, Isolo
urged the graduands to continue
to seek knowledge, keep abreast
with developments in the country
so as to be able to treat issues of
interest in their sermons.
The Chairman of the Occasion,
Dr. Fatai Lawal described the
programme as laudable and one
way of promoting peace and
unity in the country. He
congratulated the graduands
urging them to make the mosque
a more friendly environment
where people will be encouraged
to seek knowledge. In the same
vein, Prof Wakeel Isola who is the
chairman of Human Resources
Development Center of the
institution stated that the success
of the programme would provide
a solution path to the plethora of
socio-economic problems
confronting the nation as the new
religious leaders would
positively impact on the society.
Also, Prof M. A Bidmus on his
part, urged the new Imams to
further their knowledge as
according to the Prophet,
knowledge is from the cradle to
the grave. He added that the
mosque was designed for
sustainability and that the
Institution had provided the
expertise with which they can
sustain the mosques in their
respective areas. Others who
presented goodwill messages
were the Baba Adini of Lagos and
Chairman of the Lagos Central
Mosque Council, Sheikh
AbdulHafeez Abou and Head of
Imams, Imam Tijani
Gbajabiamila who also
represented the Grand Chief
Imam of Lagos State at the
BARKA JUMAH
Stay with faith
Allah will grant ease after difficulty.
Al-Talaq 65:7
Sudden and shocking deaths of great
friends, all at once, is most confounding! Too
much pain laced with unbearable confusion.
Only Allah can heal us. Hang on to Him. Stay
with faith. Be strong! Allah won't ever
burden us beyond our capacity. Allah shall
heal and restore us. Hail Allah. Be real
strong! Ease and joy forever stay with us
all, insha Allah. Happy jumat.
— Dr. Adewale Adeeyo, OON
MUSWEN calls for Sharia Courts ts in
South West
est
THE Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria recently advocated
establishment of Shariah Courts in all the six states in the South
Western parts of Nigeria.
MUSWEN in a communique made available to newsmen at the end
of the 4th MUSWEN General Assembly held in Ibadan, Oyo State
maintained that the creation of the Shari’ah courts in South West
states “is necessary in order to cater for the yearnings of Muslims
who are in the majority.”
Part of the communique reads that, “Shari‘ah Court should be
established by governments in the Southwestern Nigeria in catering
for the yearnings of Muslims who are in the majority to replace
Shari‘ah Panels being operated presently by Muslim organizations”.
“That Shari‘ah Court should be established by governments in the
Southwestern Nigeria in catering for the yearnings of Muslims who
are in the majority to replace Shari‘ah Panels being operated presently
by Muslim organizations. That to ensure proper administration of
justice, MUSWEN advocates urgent judicial reform, taking a cue
from the principle of Islamic Judicial System.”
MUSWEN added, “these Shari’ah courts when established, would
replace Shari‘ah panels being operated presently by Muslim
organizations in the region.”
Concerning the Hijab issue, MUSWEN insisted that “institution of
Hijab is sacrosanct in Islam and cannot be compromised for Muslim
girls and women in any part of the country,”
“ Institution of Hijab is sacrosanct in Islam and cannot be
compromised for Muslim girls and women in any part of the country.
MUSWEN further reiterates its commitment to Hijab struggle not
only in the southwest but throughout the country as provided for,
under freedom of religion in the constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria.”.
It pointed out that the issue of Hijab controversy at the International
School, University of Ibadan should be legitimately pursued and
that the Ummah should do so within the ambits of the law.”.
MUSWEN in the communique also frowned at what it termed as
political lopsidedness against Muslims in the Southwest and at the
Federal Level.
On the state of the nation, MUSWEN said “ there have been some
modest improvements in the state of the nation under the present
administration.” and that “Federal Government should intensify
efforts to diversify the economy of the nation”.
MUSWEN in the communique also announced the appointment of
Professor Muslih Yahya, a retired Professor of Arabic and Islamic
Studies from the University of Jos as new Executive Secretary,
following expiration of the tenure of the pioneer Executive Secretary,
Professor Dawud Noibi.
From Left: Sheikh Ridwanullah Zuglool, Mudeer, Daru-Dawah Wal Irshad Arabic From left: Dr. Ismail Musa, Coordinator/Ag. H.O.D, Department of Religious
Center, Isolo; Alhaji M. O Junaid; Dr. Fatai Lawal, Chairman of the Occasion; Studies, and Chief Imam of UNILAG; Chairman, UNILAG Muslim
Prof Monday Ubangha, Dean, Faculty of Education, and Representative of the Community, Prof Lai Olurode and Founder, Jama’atu Ahlillah, JAMALI,
Vice Chancellor, UNILAG and Prof Wakeel Isola, Chairman, Human Resources Imam Abdullah Akinbode during the graduation ceremony held at the
Development Centre, UNILAg during the occasion.
Mosque, Multipurpose hall, University of Lagos, Akoka, recently.