An Islamic group, Daarus-Sa’aadah Islamic Centre, last weekend gathered renowned Islamic scholars in Ajase-Ipo, Kwara State, to lecture on the roles of Imams and the further use of mosques towards better societies.

With the theme “The Mosque, the Imam and Da’wah,” the group held its second annual Imams’ conference, with scholars delivering lectures to a gathering that included traditional rulers and Ulamas.

The founder of the group and sponsor of the annual event, Alhaja Rahmat Mojisola Salih, while tracing her journey into philanthropy, stated that she was motivated by her grandmother to use her hard-earned wealth to promote Islam and improve human welfare.

The Lagos-based business mogul recalled before newsmen her early days in the area as a primary school pupil when she used to hawk bread and other items for sustenance under the watchful eyes of her grandmother.

“Each time I returned, my grandmother would always advise that I take out a portion of my daily gain for the mosque.

“This I used to buy brooms to sweep the mosque and soaps to wash and mop it,” she recalled.

Stating that she engages in philanthropy as duly directed by Almighty Allah, Rahmat explained the essence of the religious gesture, saying: “I do this to encourage many others, near and far, to emulate it so as to ensure safer communities and dedicated leaders.”

The conference chairman and Chief Imam of Ajase-Ipo, Shaykh Aliyu Taofeek Atoloye, said the programme made a great impact on attendees, mainly Islamic scholars from far and near.

According to him, this year’s theme afforded them the opportunity to know more about the use of mosques beyond being a prayer assembly, adding that attendees also used the opportunity to network among themselves.

The Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismail Muhammed Yahya Atoloye, in his goodwill message, called for greater participation in such a “blessed exercise.”

He and many others sought the extension of the yearly programme to three days, noting that the blessings and benefits embedded in it are too great to be ignored.

Shaikh Dhikrullaah Shafi’i delivered the first paper titled “The Role of the Mosque in Building the Ideal Muslim,” while Dr Sirajudeen Bila Al-Asra presented a paper on “Da’wah Without Bitterness: Etiquette of Disagreement in Islam.”

At the end of the one-day programme, certificates were given to all.