‘Why Islamic organisations need new operating approach’

Islamic organisations across the country have been urged to adopt a standard operating procedure in the running of their groups, with utmost priority given to pristine teachings of the religion.

An Islamic scholar and lecturer at Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, Dr. Saheed Timehin, disclosed this at the triennial conference of Nawair-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, in Lagos.

Timehin, who was the guest speaker at the occasion, said Muslims are faced with several challenges in the contemporary world and the most visible of these challenges is lack of proper knowledge of the teachings of Islam and the application of its laws and precepts in a pluralistic world.

He said: “The contemporary Islamic Ummah is faced with the challenges of producing well balanced scholars who will understand the intent, content and context of the divine message. Scholars who can relate to the past and the present with the same commitment, bringing the keys of the past and modifying them to open the contemporary doors without destroying the handles nor spoiling the keys.

“The Ummah needs such scholars who will not drag archaic traditions into the modern world; scholars who do not glorify superstition nor clothe absurdities in the garb of knowledge; and in fits of learned psychopathy, attempt to impose it on their followers however irrational it may seem and no matter the cost in liberty and blood, stupidly arguing that it is what their ‘infallible’ forefathers did.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Muslims and the contemporary challenges’, Timehin urged conscious wealthy Muslims to assist Islamic organisations that have displayed sufficient performance credentials in the sphere of social engineering through massive financial investments in their projects by connecting them to prospective governmental and non-governmental funding agencies.

“Muslims today do not sacrifice their wealth as the early Muslims did. They have not realised that their organisations can no longer be managed by occasional donations and collections during ceremonies and festivals alone. In order to survive, there must be total commitment by members of the organisation on a monthly basis based on trust in the system and driven by accountability,” he said.

He noted that the management of Muslim organisations is an unhealthy rivalry that often characterises the relationship between the ‘Ulama (Islamic clerics) and the administrative leadership which has continued to draw the organisations back.

“It is disheartening to observe that despite the fact that many Muslim organisations are managed by accomplished individuals who manage their own business concerns effectively, most of these groups are poorly managed. Both arms-cleric and administration of them do not seem to realise that their duties are supposed to be complementary and not contradictory.

“What is really disturbing is that the captains of industries who manage these Muslim organisations have not been using their problem solving skills, conflict resolution strategies and change management competencies to run these organisations. Those who have tried have not been successful because of wrong diagnoses of the problem,” he said.

The National President of Nawair-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo said the triennial conference is a forum for members to reflect on the past activities of the association in the three years and chart a new course for the future.

He noted that this year’s triennial conference marks the end of his six years successful administration and the ratification of the election of new team, which will run the affairs of the society for another two terms of three years each.