President, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sa’ad Abubakar III, has disclosed that a true Muslim, rather disrupting peace would be a peace builder as a result of the teachings of Islam.
Speaking at the commissioning and handing over of an ultra-modern mosque build to celebrate Asiwaju Khamis Badmus 80th birthday in Osogbo on Friday, he said true understanding of Islamic religion help to build a discipline and enlightened Muslim, who turned intolerance into friendship and hostility into lov.
The Sultan, who was represented by the President of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria(MUSWEN), Rasaq Oladejo, said the essence of mosque is beyond just the observance of five daily prayers.
“Let me give my Muslim brothers and sisters some advice. Let us make efforts to understand our religion properly. True religious understanding should produce disciplined, compassionate and enlightened Muslims who build peace and not destroy it. Religion should transform us inwardly, turning intolerance into friendship, hostility into love and conflict into collaboration. In essence, we become agents of peace and reconciliation”, he stated.
Also, the National Missioner of Ansar-u-Deen Society, Sheik AbdulRahman Ahmad, while commending Badmus for the edifice, noted a mosque should not be reduced to just observance of five daily prayers, saying it is the nucleus of the Muslim society, where social, economic and political conflict are resolved for the progress of the society.
“The Mosque of Qubah, in the city of Madinah in 622 CE, the purpose was not for Salat alone. That Mosque was designed to serve Islam by accommodating such necessary institutions as School, Library, Treasury, Information Centre, Court of law, Mini Parliament and even Hospital. In a nutshell, going by its original design, the Mosque should be the social symbol of Muslim development theoretically and practically, on the platform of unity. Hence, the Ummah must ensure that the mosque serve its original purpose”, he said.
Also, the Grand Mufti of Ilorin Emirate, Sheikh Sulaiman Faruq stressed the need to contribute to the course of Allah, especially building of mosque, saying the wealth of every individual is God’s way of entrusting the care of the less-privileged to those with enormous wealth.
The event was attended by Islamic leaders from the southwest as well as captain of industries and traditional rulers including, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRosheed Akanbi, Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrosheed Olabomi, former Osun Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Yusuf Alli, (SAN), Professor Labour Popoola, Justice Moshood Ajeigbe, rtd, Chief Imams of Osogbo, Ilesa, Iwo, Lagos, Ogbomoso, among others.
