MUSLIMS AND THE NATION
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, held its 7th Expanded General Purpose Committee Meeting on Saturday, Muharram 28, 1441 (September 28, 2019) in Abuja.
The meeting engaged in a critical assessment of the state of the nation, expressed serious concerns about the frequency and intensity of kidnapping, banditry and bloodletting. The Council urged the Federal Government, the security agencies and all stakeholders to urgently reverse the ugly trend.
The Council appreciated the social intervention programme of the Federal Government and acknowledged the creation of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to coordinate such interventions in the given areas. It is our view that there is a strong relationship between poverty and insecurity and this view is reinforced by the saying that a hungry man is an angry man. We urge the Government to provide enough resources for the Ministry to actualise the needed interventions in making life more meaningful to the displaced, the disadvantaged and the unemployed.
All Nigerians are urged to desist from generating and circulating fake news as it is a whirlwind that ultimately blows no one any good. Freedom of speech is not to permit licentiousness. The Council reinstated its known position not to give undue religious weight to politicians’ chicanery that unwittingly create undue religious acrimony on partisan political issues. Religious leaders should therefore not be accomplices in the attempt to overheat the polity.
DEATH OF ALHAJI (DR) SAKARIYAU OLAYIWOLA BABALOLA
Inna LiLlahi wa innaa ilayHi raji‘uun!
It is with utter shock and total submission to the will of Allah that the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) announces the transition of its Deputy President General (South), Alh. (Dr) S. O. Babalola (OON).
His janaazah prayer comes up today at the Lagos Central Mosque, Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Lagos Island, by 3:30 p.m.
The Council commiserates with His Eminence, the President General of NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto, the National Officers of NSCIA, the Executive Secretary and the entire MUSWEN family, the family of the late leader and the generality of Nigerian Muslim Ummah on the demise of Alh. Babalola. The Council prays that Almighty Allah admit its late leader to Aljanna Firdaos.
We also pray that Allah grant the family and all the Ummah fortitude to bear the loss and cope with the big vacuum he left behind (Amin).
We are all from Allah and to Allah we shall all return.
Signed
Prof. Salisu Shehu
Deputy Secretary General,
NSCIA
A FRESH START: YEAR 1441 A.H. GOODWILL MESSAGE
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates with the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and all over the world on the auspicious occasion of the new 1441 Hijrah Year.
While thanking Allah for sparing our lives throughout 1440 A. H. and making us witness the beginning of the New Year, we pray that He make this new beginning a turning point in our lives as individuals and as a people so that at the end of the year, we shall be counting gains, not losses, and successes, not failures.
One significance of the New Hijrah Year is the opportunity it accords a Muslim to turn a new leaf, set his priorities right and evaluate himself as a way of preparing for the Judgement Day. As a matter of fact, Hijrah connotes migrating from what is evil and despicable to what is good and righteous. This should be the resolve of every Muslim as the New Year begins.
MUHARAM 1441 AH PRESS RELEASE
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, wishes to inform the Nigerian Muslim Ummah that there was no positive sighting of the crescent of Muharam, 1441 AH on the 29th of Dhul-Hijjah, 1440 AH, equivalent to Friday, 30th August, 2019. Therefore, Saturday, 31st August, 2019 is the last day of Dhul-Hijjah, 1440 AH.
In line with the above, His Eminence, the President-General of NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto has approved Sunday, 1st September, 2019 as the 1st day of Muharam, 1441 AH.
The Council hereby enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to continue to promote peaceful coexistence and unity among all the citizens of the country. Happy New Year!
Signed
Prof. Salisu Shehu
Deputy Secretary-General
NSCIA