An Islamic group, Daaru-s Sa’aadah Islamic Centre, has organised a leadership training programme for Imams in the country.
The programme, themed, ‘Sound Imam, Sound Jama’ah’ was held in Ajase Ipo, Irepodun local government area of Kwara state.
Daily Trust reports that this was the first time the programme will be held in the state since 2016 when the centre, based in Ogun state, started the initiative.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Imam of Ajase-Ipo, Sheikh Taofik Aliyu Atoloye, said the community had longed for a gathering of such magnitude that is expected to change landscape of Islamic practice and understanding positively for the Imams.
“This conference and training will help to preserve Islam through enlightenment of clerics who will in turn guide people towards righteousness”.
Also speaking, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismail Yahaya Atoloye Alebiosu, thanked the organisers for the conference and assured of his continued support subsequently.
One of the guest speakers, Professor AbdulRasaq Abdulmajeed Alaro, in a lecture, titled ‘Responsibilities and duties of Imam’, said that position of Imam is an office of responsibility and not just a title.
He, thus, charged Imams to wake up to their responsibility of leading their congregation to right path in line with Islamic teachings.
Alaro added that the responsibility of the Imam extends beyond leading the congregation in prayer, saying that, “the mosque is an educational avenue for people to learn. It is a place for conflict resolution and communal judgement”.
He urged Imams to revive the mosque to serve needs of Muslims, stressing that, “Imam should endeavour to always lead the congregation in prayer, be a role model and also a spiritual guide to his congregation through his sermons and preachings.
“He should encourage the oneness of Allah and not associate partners with Almighty Allah which is the basis of the Islamic faith.
“The Imam is given social responsibility to encourage unity amongst the congregation and he should show concern for the well-being of the congregation.
“The Imam also has an economic role in looking after the welfare of the people by encouraging the wealthy members of his congregation to render financial assistance and empowerment to the indigent members of the congregation”, he said.
The second speaker and Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Lagos, Dr. Ridwanullah Jamiu, encouraged Imams to be positive agents in achieving National Unity for the country.
“The mosque is a community centre and the Imam is a symbol of unity for all Muslims who irrespective of their ethnicity, culture and political leanings, line up behind him in prayer. The Imam is meant to foster national unity and strengthen it by encouraging mutual love among the people irrespective of differences”.
He also said that mosque is not only a place where people come to pray but an avenue of togetherness and service that cuts across social, economic, intellectual and psychological aspect of the congregants.
“The mosque is meant to be a multipurpose and educational centre to learn about faith, to be empowered economically through Zakat and sadaqah and a place of fellowship where people are brought together irrespective of their social and economic status”.
A member of the organizing committee, Imam Ismail Yusuf, also said that, “this conference was organized to awaken Imams, mostly in the Southern Yoruba communities and its environs, to their roles and expose them to modern trends in order to discharge their roles as spiritual leaders”.
Similarly, the convener of the conference, Hajia Rahmatallahi Akansin, said the rationale behind the conference was to increase knowledge of leaders of the Islamic faith, who are tasked with the role of correcting the ills in society.
One of the participants and spokesperson of clerics in the Ajase-Ipo community, Alhaji Abdulmaruf Balogun, expressed gratitude to the organizers of the conference, saying that, “it’s very timely”.
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