The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government to prioritise welfare and security of Nigerians just as the religious group commends the rehabilitation and operation of the Port Harcourt Refinery after 34 years, stating that the recent cheering news is reassuring.
N
ational President (Amir), Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Alhaji (Barr) Alatoye Folorunso AbdulAzeez, during a press conference on the 70th Jalsa Salana, decried the economic hardship Nigerians are experiencing while the political elites are living in opulence and vagrant display of wealth.
“We have noticed that the President’s call for a reduction in the cost of governance by the Ministers and Governors has not been complied with. The citizens are daily harassed by long convoys of official vehicles on the highways. Multiple taxations are still the order of the day. The public power supply – electricity is inadequate despite the increase in tariffs and forced migration to Band A. In reality, the Nation is bleeding.”
He advised the Government to cut the cost of governance, calling on ministers and Governors to reduce the size of their convoys. “Corrupt officials must be tried, convicted and punished accordingly as a deterrent to others and state governors who are yet to implement the payment of the minimum wage should expedite actions on payments. Cost of food should be re-evaluated, made to work and address the sufferings of the poor.”
Speaking on activities heralding the upcoming 70th Jalsa Salana, the Amir said this year 2024 platinum celebration will begin Friday, December 20, and end on Sunday, December 22 at Illaro, Ogun state.
He said that the theme of the 70th Jalsa Salana ‘And We Have Sent Thee (Muhammad) Not, But As a Mercy For All People” (Q21.108)’ is a Qur’anic declaration which is very instructive, as the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is humanity’s noble specimen and perfect model in beauty and beneficence and leadership for personal and national reformation and development.
He noted that the main highlights of the Islamic gathering are, recitation of the Holy Quran, Praises of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Messages from the World Leader of the Ahmadiyya Community, Goodwill Messages from the Nigerian leaders, Lectures, Special Prayers/ Tahajud for all.
“We have invited the Nigerian President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, some Governors from the Northern and Southern parts of the federation, political and traditional leaders, and Islamic Scholars as special guests.”
Going down memory lane on the journey in the last 70 counts of holding the yearly Jalsa Salana in Nigeria, Alatoye said, the yearly convention was initiated by the founder of the community, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be upon him).
“Usually, the gathering spans over three days, beginning on Friday with the Friday Sermon. It derives its Islamic basis and rationale from the Qu’anic promulgation that: “There is no good in many of their conferences except the conferences of such as enjoin charity, or goodness, or the making of peace among men. And whosoever does that, seeking the pleasure of Allah, We shall soon bestow on him a great reward,” (Qur’an, Al-Nisa, Chapter 4 verse 115).
He mentioned that the very first Jalsa was held in Qadian, India, in 1891 and had 75 guests. The very next year, this grew to 327 and by 1908 approximately 2,500 guests were flocking to Qadian for the spiritual gathering. Within 100 years, from 1891-1991, Jalsa Salana Qadian grew from 75 to 66,000 guests.
“In Nigeria, the journey towards the annual Islamic conference started in April 1949, as a weekly meeting for enlightenment and discussions on pressing Islamic issues at the Ahmadiyya first central mosque number 21/23 Ojo Giwa Street, Lagos Island.
“75 delegates attended the historic event, comprising 50 males and 25 females, including children.”
He noted that the first Amir to address the gathering was Maulana Naseef Saifi, an erudite Missionary, prolific writer and motivational speaker, who became the Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and an Islamic presenter on the National Broadcasting Corporation, NBC.
Ahead of this year’s gathering, the Amir embarked on courtesy visits to prominent Islamic scholars and traditional rulers across the country inviting them to come and share in the grace of ALLAH. He visited Sheikh Muideen Ajani Bello, Sheikh Abbas Zakariyyah in Ibadan and the Ejeh of Anka kingdom in Abuja, His Royal Highness Dr Abubakar Ahmad Sodiq Yakubu.
