At 30, NASFAT takes stock, unveils future plans

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT) has lined up a series of events to make the occasion memorable. To kick-start the celebration, it held a press conference on January 28 at the Lagos State Secretariat Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, themed: “Leading the Way: NASFAT as a Change Agent.”

The programme highlighted the organisation’s accomplishments over the years and its plans for the future. The event began with a recitation of the Holy Qur’an by NASFAT’s National Dawah Officer, Imam Abdulganiyy Raji, followed by an opening prayer, led by the Chief Missioner, Imam Maroofdeen Abdul-Azeez Onike.

In his keynote address, NASFAT President Worldwide, Alhaji Ayodeji Abdulwahid AbdulRauf, reflected on the body’s journey over the last three decades, noting that NASFAT had grown from a small prayer group into a global organisation with over 360 branches, 28 primary schools, eight secondary schools, five hospitals, and the internationally recognised Fountain University.

He also shared how NASFAT was modernising by leveraging technology and enhancing its outreach to benefit communities. AbdulRauf emphasised the organisation’s commitment to leadership development and empowerment.

On NASFAT’s new initiatives, the president explained the significance of the acronym “LEAD,” introduced when the current executive council came on board on February 4, 2021, stating that the acronym underscores the group’s dedication to raising capable leaders, who can positively impact society.

To strengthen leadership, NASFAT leaders attended a training programme at Harvard University. “The results of those efforts are what you are seeing today,” he said, adding: “In the next 10 years, we believe many leaders in Nigeria will emerge from NASFAT.”

Continuing, AbdulRauf said his group also prioritised youth empowerment through skill acquisition programmes, stating: “The organisation launched the NASFAT Activate initiative, which provides young members with ICT training and certifications. Graduates of this programme have secured full-time employment. Plans are underway to train another group in renewable energy, equipping them with skills to solve future challenges.”

The religious body announced plans to increase its media presence through quarterly briefings.

“We waited this long because if you have something to market, you don’t need to make noise. “Now, we are ready to show the world what we’ve been doing,” the NASFAT boss explained.

NASFAT equally hinted at a plan to launch an innovative application that would ease the lives of Muslims. On the trending topic of introducing Sharia law to the South West, the NASFAT leaders stated: “We are in a secular state, and what we have achieved in 30 years is due to our tolerance and adaptability.”

Rather than confrontational approaches, NASFAT plans to establish an arbitration centre for Muslims and non-Muslims to resolve disputes amicably. This initiative, they explained, would apply Sharia law where appropriate without violating the country’s secularity.