TO overcome the myriad of challenges bedevilling Nigeria, it is incumbent on every citizen to promote love.
This was the submission of Imam Mudasir Bello who was the guest lecturer at the 2021 General Assembly of the Anwar-Ul Islam Movement of Nigeria themed ‘Awar-Ul Islam Movement of Nigeria: Moving Forward, held in Lagos.
“The incessant unrest witnessed in the society happens due to lack of love among citizens. It is love that brings peace and progress,” Imam Bello said.
He also urged Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to imbibe the act of charity for the promotion of love as encouraged by Prophet Muhammad.
“The rich should endeavour to help the poor and the government should endeavour to provide basic amenities, jobs for citizens as this will reduce the level of insecurity,” the cleric added.
He advised the poor to desist from criminal activities which, he said, would only contribute to making the country uninhabitable for everyone.
Speaking during the General Assembly, a one-day general meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) members and head of missions, the national president of the movement, Alhaji Mubashir Ojelade, said the purpose of the gathering was to make some “landmark changes and new policies” which would enhance the stability and progress of the movement.
“We are here to discuss the affairs of the movement for the past three years since the advent of COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has limited operations of the movement to some extent and we think now is the time to re-energise our motive and mission.
“We are a very old organisation founded in 1916 and the first Muslim voluntary association to be registered under the law. We have branches all over the country,” Alhaji Ojelade said.
While analysing major achievements of the movement in the past four years, he said the administration had undertaken an extensive review of the movement’s constitution.
Ojelade noted that the mission had formulated the first election guidelines and regulations for the movement to minimise election-related crises.
He said: “Guidelines and regulations applicable for the appointment of a new National Chief Imam or Missioner when the need arises were also made. We undertook a major review of the movement’s code of conduct and mode of worship, which was also translated to English. We changed the movement’s logo to remove the controversy and uncertainty surrounding the symbol on the old logo.
“The administration introduced issuance of certificate to mission upon conferment of mission status. For the first time in history, two limited liability companies were incorporated for the movement.
“We widened the space for our missions to participate in the affairs of the movement by granting new or additional seats for several missions in the NEC. In an unprecedented fashion, about N20 million was donated to support development projects in various missions across the country.”
He mentioned that the movement was planning to establish an orphanage, start a water business and build a national central mosque that would include a clinic, an events hall and a secretariat.
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