Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria is set to address the current appalling and worrisome state of the world and Nigeria, in particular at its forthcoming convention, Jalsa Salana 2023.

During a press briefing ahead of the 69th Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) Nigeria 2023, themed, “Taqwa: Pathway to Justice and Peace”, the Amir (National Head), Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Alatoye Folorunso Azeez, urged Nigerians and the leadership to fear Allah and always engaging in acts of righteousness.

The conference will run December 22 to 24, 2023 at the Conference Ground, Jamia Ahmadiyya, Ilaro-Owode Road, Ilaro, Ogun State. The conference, the national head says, promises to feature several sessions where various scholars will deliver lectures addressing various critical issues and aspects of the theme.

“There is no doubt that the state of affairs of individual Nigerians and the nation is at a critical crossroads. We have continued to wallow in the whirlpool of lack of peace and security as evidenced in an array of security issues, including incessant cases of kidnapping for ransom, ritual and other forms of crimes and the conflict of ethnic and religious identity and expression etc.

“Also, we have continued to be plagued by the persisting issues of political and development economy and the concomitant increase in the rate of unemployment and poverty, which is being further affected by the rate of forex instability and the immediate effects of the fuel subsidy removal.” Alatoye however emphasized that at the root of all these situations lies the case of the decline in our adherence to spiritual and ethical values.

“Particularly, there is a dearth of fear of God, good conscience and self-introspection. Unbridled pursuit of crass materialism or the greed for wealth, power and fame has continued to drive people to engage in all sorts of corrupt and fraudulent practices at all levels of our human existence.” He said if progress has to be made, true values have to be recognized adding that “the current situation is extremely worrying.

“Taqwa is needed and no one is interested in paying attention to this. What is needed is that everyone turns to God and reflects as to what should be done when there is a situation of: ‘Corruption has appeared on land and sea…” (Qur’an, 30:42). Huzur said the Qur’an gives its solution as did the Holy Prophet (saw),” he stated.

According to him, over 40,000 participants are being expected from across the country, including political, traditional and religious leaders, among others.

The conference, he said, would also feature special daily and night prayer sessions for the prosperity, development, peace and security of Nigeria, the innocent people of Palestine the world and humanity in general.

“We condemn any act of violence against civilians whether by Hamas or Israel. We call for immediate cease-fire and allowance for humanitarian aid in Gaza.

“We also join in calling for the two-state solution where no one country will be a police force to the other. We call on the USA to stop the fuel-supplying ammunition to Israel for the extermination of the Palestinian race. All these will be impossible without the fear of God or devotion to righteousness.

“We commensurate with the people of Kaduna State with the accident that happened on the day of their Maulid Nabbiy in which the military accidentally dropped bombs on innocent civilians celebrating instead of the bandits. May Allah grant us peace in Nigeria,” he said.

However, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community urged the political class to reduce, moderate the ostentatious lifestyles and make sacrifices to the people, as the economic situation in Nigeria is becoming unbearable.