Some Muslim female scholars have called on women to be of good conduct during and after Ramadan and to be responsible in all aspect of life.
They gave the remarks, yesterday, during the first Ramadan lecture, organised by ‘Muslimah Connect’, a Non-Governmental Organisation, founded in 2018 to uplift the status of Muslim women in the society.
Dr Saudat Abdulbaqi, a lecturer at Mass Communication Dept, University of Ilorin, said that before someone can embark on a change, it is necessary that one understands where he or she is coming from, review the past, compare with the present and have a forecast for the future.
“It is very necessary for women to audit themselves, this self-auditing is necessary because, in order to advance, you need to know what you are doing right, for you to maintain it and what you are doing wrong, in order to improve and also review the objectives of life.
It is very important for Muslim women to identify with three cardinal principles of life; the first is to remember that we came from Almighty Allah and He will hold us responsible for all our deeds, so we should not deceive ourselves, knowing fully what is right to be done.
“The second is that we are in this world to worship Almighty Allah, apart from the five pillars of Islam, whatever good thing we do is an act of worship, like our relationship with our family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, and anybody we come across. Whatever we do, we will account for it.
“And thirdly, we shall all return to Almighty Allah, so we should be mindful of our behaviour, instead of gossiping about others, fighting and planning evils, we should spend our time in doing good things, worshipping and asking for his mercy, so I say, we come from Almighty Allah, we are in this world because of Him and we are going back to him at the end.
“I encourage everyone to review the past in order to project for the future, especially in this Ramadan, we should forgive one another, live in peace and be responsible in every role we play in this world as we will account for everything in the hereafter.”
In her remarks, another Guest Speaker, Hajia Bilqees Oladimeji called on all Muslim women to help one another during Ramadan and afterwards by providing for the needy.
“Be kind and generous if Allah has blessed you, do not hide His Rahman, and then remember your responsibilities as a woman, a sister, a wife, a mother and most importantly a Muslim.
“To our men, be supportive to your wives, sisters, in-laws, treat women with respect, love, kindness and give them what belongs to them.
“A woman cannot build a happy home alone, it is collective responsibility including the financial aspect and say no to gender-based violence and above all, fear Allah, who sees all that you do.”
Oladimeji further urged the government to come up with policies that are women friendly, support fair representation of women in governance, promote girl child education and empowerment programmes.
She also called for the Women Affairs Ministry to be strengthened with a view to meet the yearnings of women and children.
…IMAN lecture begins
This year’s Ramadan lectures organised by the Islamic Missionaries’ Association of Nigeria (IMAN) commenced yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
A statement issued by a member of the Organising Committee, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said, the programme commenced at IMAN Centre, Yidi road with special prayer to appreciate Allah for the grace to witness this year’s Ramadan and supplications to Him to grant true believers spiritually rewarding holy month.
“In this year’s series of daily lectures, numerous scholars and personalities will feature as Guest Speakers, Chairmen and Special Guests, they include the newly elected Governor of Kwara State, Alh. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of Traditional Council, Alh (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, former and serving Vice-Chancellors, renowned academics and eminent Islamic scholars.
Some of the topics in which Papers would be presented are: ‘Roles of the Media in Sustaining Democracy in Nigeria’, ‘Effects of Globalisation on Islam’, ‘Social Implications of Drug Abuse & Islamic Solutions’ as well as ‘Effects of High Blood Pressure and Diabetes’.
Other topics include; ‘Moral Degeneration of the Society and Islamic Recipe’, ‘Causes of Economic Challenges of Nigeria and Islamic Solutions’ and ‘The State of the Nation – A Challenge to Muslim Leaders.
Among those expected to present Papers are: Profs. Hassan Salihu, Ibrahim Adeola Katibi, Badmas Lanre Yusuf, AbdulRazaq AbdulMajeed Alaro – all of University of Ilorin. Others are retired Grand Kadis and Judges of Sharia Court of Appeal and professionals in the field of Common Law, Medicine, Economy and other disciplines. They include Prof. Hamza AbdulRaheem of KWASU, Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, Mallam Aliyu Badmus (Proprietor Iqrah College, Ilorin), Prof. AbdulFatath Olatunji of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and CMD of UITH, Prof. Abdullahi Da -Silva Yusuf.
Members of various Islamic Organizations will also deliver Lectures on variety of topics.
IMAN pioneered daily Ramadan lectures in Nigeria. The lecture began in 1976 at the old Ilorin Teachers’ College, which was later moved to Queen Elizabeth School Ilorin.
