The Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU) has urged Muslims to prioritize education and skills acquisition as crucial tools in the fight against poverty.This call was made during the group’s quarterly programme themed ‘Poverty Alleviation: The Role of Islamic Philanthropy,’ held at the Vice Admiral Jubrila Ayinla Multipurpose Hall, Lekki Central Mosque Complex in Lagos.
Speaking on ‘Poverty among the Muslims: Causes and Solutions,’ Dr. Jibril Salaudeen of Nungu Business School acknowledged the difficulty of completely eradicating poverty but emphasized the potential for significant reduction. He identified several contributing factors, including education levels, skills, access to funding, government policies, Islamic social finance, and insecurity. Dr. Jibril called for greater collaboration among Muslim organizations to define the current poverty situation and develop targeted solutions. He also stressed that tackling poverty requires a multi-faceted approach involving government, Islamic financial institutions, social financing, and traditional structures.
The Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Dr. Ridwan Jamiu, underscored Islam’s view of poverty as an undesirable state. He implored Muslims to actively work towards its elimination within the bounds of Shari’ah. Highlighting the negative consequences of poverty, such as hindering education, causing family instability, and contributing to social unrest and crime, the Chief Imam emphasized the Islamic encouragement of earning a living and discouraged dependence on others. He further pointed to Zakat (obligatory charity) and Waqf (charitable endowment) as vital Islamic instruments for social finance and empowerment.
Earlier, LEMU President, Dr.Abdul Ganiy Labinjo, voiced his concern over a perceived acceptance of poverty within the Muslim community. He suggested that some Muslims have become overly reliant on Zakat and Sadaqat, fostering a belief that poverty is somehow linked to Islam. Dr.Labinjo also challenged the notion of using destiny (qadar) as an excuse for inaction in seeking a better life. He encouraged Muslims to adopt a proactive and determined attitude towards achieving financial well-being, viewing reliance on qadar as a means of solace only after genuine effort has been made.
