The imperative to strengthen unity and collaboration amongst Muslim scholars across Yorubaland, propagation of Islam and provision of necessary supports and services to communities formed major discourse of the “Religious Intellectual Seminar as Yoruba Muslim Scholars Association converged on Ibadan to formally inaugurate the association.
The official inauguration ceremony, was sequel to establishment of the association in August, 2022, held at the Islamic Center, University of Ibadan had in attendance Islamic clerics and scholars from the six South West states, Edo and Delta states, including the Chief Imam of Ibadanland Sheikh Abubakr Agbotomokekere represented by Mogaji Hassan Onisiniyan.
Two foremost monarchs, Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba AbdurRasheed Adewale Akanbi and Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Muhammadu-Qosim Raji graced the symbolic occasion to lend royal support.
Speaking on the unveiling of the association, its President, Sheikh Khidr Mustapha explained that the Yoruba Muslim Scholars Association, registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), came into being to consolidate achievements of the previous Islamic scholars and to further Islamic scholarship and propagation of the religion.
Sheikh Mustapha said the association prioritizes human development, preservation of Islamic creed, spreading moderate and pristine Islamic methodology from Qur’an and prophetic teachings.
“This association operates open door policy for all Islamic scholars, clerics, to join for the propagation of Islam and unity”, Mustapha stated.
He further disclosed that the association will always conduct research on Islamic knowledge, fatwa (rulings on religious matters), and provide insights on issues relevant to Islamic communities.
“One of the challenges amongst propagators of Islam is disagreement leading to litigations. Attacks on social media on flimsy issues would be addressed to ensure unity”, Mustapha affirmed.
Dr Mustapha appealed to Muslims philanthropists, business tycoons, those in positions of authority, including monarchs to support the association towards achieving its lofty objectives.
Chairman Organising Committee and a retired Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at Al-Ikmah University, Ilorin, Ibrahim Otuyo disclosed that the Yoruba Muslim Scholars Association has been structured with structures for effective implementation of its vision, mission and projects.
Professor Otuyo urged members of the public to call 08149465848 and 08143374562 for further enquiries about the Yoruba Muslim Scholars Association.
In a lecture entitled “The Importance of Unity and Togetherness in the face of challenges: Yorubaland as a case study, the Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Dr Ridwanullai Jamiu advocated upgrading and incorporating modern skills into Arabic and Islamic Studies curriculum to enhance status and employability of students.
“We should encourage our youths to study Arabic Studies in universities, with insertion of Islamic Finance, Prophetic medicine, estate planning, to make them self-employed”, he suggested.
Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba AbdurRasheed Adewale Akanbi advised the gathering on striving to attain brighter future for the coming generations, saying Muslims need to participate in politics, compete for positions in order to adequately cater for their needs, welfare and guide against hopelessness.
Mufti of Yorubaland Edo and Delta states Sheikh Daud Imran-Malasan who described the inauguration as a welcome development, called for cooperation among Muslims for the association to achieve its agenda.
