Jama-atul Islamiyya inducts new Imams, reaffirms dedication to promoting Islamic values

The Jama-at-ulIslamiyya of Nigeria, Lagos Branch, has inducted 10 new Imams to pilot the spiritual activities of the organization.

The event marked a significant milestone in the organization’s history, demonstrating its commitment to spiritual growth and community development.

The newly inducted Imams include Abdul Hamid Hamzat, Abdul Wasiu Zakariya Ojuolape, Abdul Rafiu Mutiu Olona, and seven others.

At the public presentation ceremony, the Chairman, Alhaji Abdul Fatai Adeshina Idris, urged members to support and cooperate with the new Imams to foster unity and solidarity in the organization.

He praised the organization’s past and present leaders, including the founder,the late Alhaji L.B. Agusto and current national leader, Alhaji Abdul Kareem Adeleke.

He encouraged the new Imams to imbibe essential qualities such as God-consciousness, honesty, responsibility, and compassion.

Head of Imam Jama-at-ul-Islamiyya, Lagos State, Sheikh NuraynAbdulAzeez, urged the newImams to be contented with whatever Allah bestowed on them and desist from the accumulation of wealth and guide against unlawful relationship with female members.

“It is easy to attain leadership positions but how to manage is very key. If they try to accumulate money from the members, it can eventually lead to a problem that will tarnish their image in the society.”

The guest lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Department of Foreign Language, Lagos State University, Dr.SaheedTimehin, said the fundamental role of Imams is to mentor and model people in society, noting that scholars’ roles are numerous.

“Imams are moral authority, the custodian of public morality and they are to display it in their persons and their sermons.”

He noted that Muslim scholars are shouldered with the responsibility of impacting the community, owing to their access to divine communication, the Quran, Hadith and various religious texts.

“They can deconstruct things happening in the society, they can interpret the message of Allah(SWT) and Prophet (SAW), blend and adapt it to society challenges.”    He explained that if the Imams were doing their work, Nigeria would not be where it is today.

“If every scholar sees themselves as a representative of Allah and the Prophet (SAW) knowing well that they will report back  in the divine presence of Allah, they will look after their responsibilities and do what they are expected to do.”

Timehin advised Muslim clerics to equip themselves with marketable skills that can generate income.

“Those Imams that put forward poverty as an excuse in reality have poverty of the mind. The fact that you are an Imam does not mean you cannot be creative, I usually advise young Imams to get empowered with skills. If they do not have skills now, it is never too late to learn income-based skills. When they learn new skills, they will overcome poverty.”