Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has tasked the various Islamic sects in the country to set aside their differences in practice and unite to propagate Islam.
The Governor made the call in a keynote address he delivered at the commissioning ceremony of Sheikh Tahir Islamic Centre, Bauchi on Friday.
The Governor said that the administration remained steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the prosperity and growth of the Islamic faith in the state.
He also reassured of the unrelenting support and encouragement of his administration to Islamic activities in recognition of the pivotal role the religion plays in societal orientation.
Bala Mohammed who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau, noted that on its part, the state government has constructed Mosques for the various Islamic sects across the State for Muslim ummah to worship their creator accordingly.
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He acknowledged the unparalleled contributions of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, an erudite Islamic scholar of International repute, for working tirelessly towards the propagation of Islam across the world.
He then applauded Alhaji Bala Wunti for his exceptional initiative in constructing the Sheikh Tahir Islamic Centre, which Bauchi serves as a source of inspiration and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to preserving and enriching the Islamic heritage.
According to him, “Today’s occasion marks a significant milestone in our journey towards the unity and development of Islam in Bauchi state. This glorious establishment stands as a symbol of our shared devotion to Islam and our unwavering commitment to fostering unity and understanding among the various sects.”
“Unity is the cornerstone upon which any community thrives, and the Muslim Ummah is no exception. Our faith teaches us the importance of unity and emphasizes the need to come together, regardless of our differences.”
Bala Mohammed also said that in its efforts to promote Islamic education, the government will endeavor to provide modern facilities and resources to Islamic schools across the state.
He said it is believed that access to quality education is a fundamental right, hence the need to improve infrastructure and curriculum of the institutions while creating an enabling environment for children to discover the beauty of Islam.
He then told the gathering that at the moment, an indigene of Bauchi State has emerged as the overall winner in the just concluded National Quranic Recitation competition held in Damaturu, Yobe state in which the development has put the state on the international map as the winner was selected to represent Nigeria at the international competition in Saudi Arabia.
Bala Mohammed added, “I am pleased to announce that the Bauchi state government has been sponsoring intending pilgrims to perform Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
“We recognize the immense spiritual significance and the transformative experience that Hajj provides to the faithful. It is therefore our duty to facilitate this spiritual exercise by enabling our brothers and sisters to connect with their faith on a deeper level.”
According to him, “I am delighted to inform you that we will expand our support for the Qur’anic recitation competition. This competition acts as a platform to discover and foster the incredible talent and devotion of our young Muslim brothers and sisters. By investing in their education and nurturing their spiritual growth, we are investing in a brighter future for our state and the country at large.”
The Governor used the medium to call on all sects within the Islamic community to set aside any differences and work hand-in-hand for the common goal of developing Islam in Bauchi state by coming together in the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect, and understanding.
“Let us celebrate this momentous occasion together and embrace the spirit of unity and brotherhood that our faith instills in us. I call upon all citizens of Bauchi state to continue to live in peace with one another, and work hand-in-hand for the progress and prosperity of our beloved state,” as contained in a statement by Muslim Lawal, Special Assistant (Media) Office of the Deputy Governor.
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