Ahmadiyya begins centenary celebration

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Nigeria has begun activities for the celebration of its 100 years of existence in Nigeria and 127 years of its establishment in the world by the founder, Hazrat Amira Ghulam Ahmad in 1889.

Addressing a world press conference in Lagos, Amir (Head), Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Nigeria, Dr. Mashuud Adenrele Fasola expressed appreciation to God for growth of the Muslim organisation in Nigeria since 1916 when it was embraced by 21 members who formally signed the ‘Biat- pledge of allegiance ‘ from Qadian, India.

Dr Mash’ud Fashola recalled with nostalgia that  “from initial establishment of the Jama’at in Lagos Island in 1916,we spread in the early 20’s to the North, middle-belt, West and East, having 49 circuits (regional zones) across all parts of Nigeria.”

The first set of members of Ahmadiyya are from the Muslim Literary and Juvenile Societies referred to as the first set of muslim elites in Lagos. They are late Muhamad Lawal Agusto, Kasumu Rufai Ajose, Adam Idowu Yakub, Jubril Martin Rufai, late Oba Musediku Buraimoh Adele, Alhaji Yakubu Popoola Oyigbile, Alfa Badmus Fanmokun, Sheikh Ismaila Ayinde Shitabey, Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Smith, Alfa  Abdul Rahmoon Ashafa Balogun, Alfa Muhammad Jimoh Abdul Salam, Alfa Ahmad Tijani Adele, Alfa Booyaminu Gbajabiamila, Alhaji
Imran Adewuyi Onibudo, Alhaji Baidu Babatunde Salami, Alfa Abdul Salami Ebunoluwa Agbabiaka, Alhaji  Muhammadu  Shittu AdeJohn, Imam Umoru Kanuri, Alfa Saka  Lawole Ayeni, Alfa Muhammadu Raji B. Ipaye, and Alhaji Abbass Elegba.

Some of the activities lined up for the celebration include the national peace symposium, Religious Founders Day, free medical camps, tree planting across Nigeria, establishment of more hospitals, farm settlements, educational institutions, Ahmadi Youths All Africa Games (AYAAG), inauguration of mosques in three cities: Ibadan, Calabar, Kano as well as a grand finale centenary conference.

The AYAAG will feature games such as Football, Table Tennis, Track Events, Basketball among others. The ten days AYAAG sports competition will be held at Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria between March 17 and 26, 2016.
Warnings

At the world press conference held last Saturday in Lagos, Dr. Fashola saluted the courage of President Buhari in fighting corruption  and warned  self-centered Nigerians who plundered the nation’s resources  of the wrath of God, if they do not return the stolen commonwealth.
Dr Saheed Timehin, a member of Nigeria Inter – religious   Council dismissed tagging Boko Haram ‘Islamic group’. “If Boko Haram speaks Arabic doesn’t mean they are Muslim, Arabic is a language,” Dr. Timehin warned.

He added that “when US said Nigeria government are not sincere in fighting insurgencies then, we thought they didn’t want to help but with Dasuki Arms deal saga, it shows they know what they were talking about.”