Anwar-Ul Islam Movement of Nigeria has honoured the National Chief Missioner of the society, Alhaji Ahmad Babatunde Yoosuf, with a surprise anniversary get-together on his 95th birthday.
  
The group’s acknowledged the role of the religious leader in promoting peace, unity and progress within the society and among Muslims.
 
The National President of the society, Alhaji Mubashir Ojelade, lauded the wise counsel of the scholar.

“ Baba is somebody that shows interest in others, he takes everybody as his child and gives wise counsel to people.”
 
He noted that Alhaji Yoosuf served the movement for 42 years, the oldest spiritual leader in the society.
 
According to him, baba is a scholar, he studied in Cairo. And he later served Nigerian Army and rose to the rank of captain and later became the Imam of Anwarul Islam in 1980.
 
He added that baba competently propagated the Holy Quran, adding quality to the spiritual activities of the society and its members.
  
“He successfully established and resettled new branches of society. He is still very active within the Muslim Ummah in Lagos State. I believe this is his calling, all he does in his entire life is uplift the religion.
 
“I wish him many more years of good health. I pray that Allah’s mercy and Rahmah will continue to abide with him and his family,” he said.

The National Itinerary Missioner, Imam Mudasir Bello, rejoiced with the celebrant, saying the grace for long life and strength can only come from Almighty Allah as a reward for piety and humility.
 
“Long life is a blessing from Allah (SWT). The Holy Prophet (SAW) said, ‘The age of my ummah is between 60-70 years.

Only a few will live above 70 years. With the age range, we have today, the celebrant is a favoured person. I prayed, Allah (SWT) also favours us with long life.”
 
He urged spiritual leaders to embrace the lifestyle of Imam Yoosuf.
 
“ He never eats haram nor runs after the world, but what we have today is clerics eating haram and running after Duniya. Whatever is destined for you will surely get to you and what is not destined for you will never be yours. Let’s live in this world with ease, so that we will also grow old.”
 
The celebrant, Baba Yoosuf, thanked the movement for the surprise birthday. “ I thanked the president, executives, Alfas, members of the society and all the well-wishers who deem it fit to celebrate with me.”