Foundation restates commitment to propagation of Islam

THE primary focus of At-Tanzil Islamic Foundation, Ondo, Ondo State, over the years has been the propagation of Islam and catering for the welfare of underprivileged people in the society and that is not about to change.

The chairman of the foundation, Alhaji Abdur-Rafiu Ajiboye Agbaji, disclosed at the 12th annual public lecture of the foundation titled “Who is an Islamic Scholar?” held at AUD Secondary School, Ondo.

The chairman recalled that most of the early converts to Islam in the state as of the time the religion was newly introduced to them perceived Islam as not only a religion but also as a social organisation.

Alhaji Agbaji noted that because the Islamic knowledge passed on to them was not deep enough to sustain them to remain independent believers, they were either easily converted to other religions, particularly Christianity, or they became nominal Muslims who could not practise the religion appropriately.

According to him, the situation warranted the coming together of eminent imams, scholars, academics and Muslim societies whose deliberations culminated in the formation of At-Tanzil Islamic Foundation, Ondo, on July 24, 2007 for propagating and championing the cause of Islam in Ondo State.

A highlight of the event was the donation of a bus to the foundation by the chairman on the occasion, Mr Abiola Makinde, a politician.

Dignitaries at the event included the representative of the Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, his Senior Special Assistant on Public Interest, Mr Bashir Lawal; guest speaker, Sheikh Mofoluwasho Babatunde Agbaji; the Chief Imam of Ondo, Sheikh Bashir Alim and the Chief Imam of Akure, Sheikh Yayi Akorede.