Kogi Ulama'u Council marks 1442 Hijra, unveils Islamic New Year Calendar as Gov Bello bags award from body »

The Kogi State Council of Ulama’u has on Saturday commemorated the new Islamic Year 1442 with the launch of the new calendar for the year.

The event which took a new turn due to the Coronavirus pandemic took place at the Lokoja Central Mosque instead of the usual Township Stadium of the State Capital.

This year’s celebration also had a side attraction as the Council also conferred an award of excellence on the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for his continued support for religious bodies which has enhanced peaceful coexistence among them.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the State Council of Ulama’u, Sheikh Salman Adam described the Hijra as a period that Prophet Muhammad had to migrate from Macca to Madinah to spread the gospel of Islam because of the initial inconveniences he faced.

He therefore thanked the leadership of the council of ulama’u to spread the peaceful message of the Deen and lauded the determination of leaders of the faith in the state to ensure the growth of Islam entrenched.

Speaking, the chairman of the occasion and member representing Lokoja/Kogi (Kotonkarfe) Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Barr Shaba Ibrahim noted that it brings to the fore the courtesy of Muslims to one another.

He blamed the erosion of virtues of kindness among Muslims, adding that it was sad that believers were no longer having empathy for one another which is counting against the growth of the faith.

He prayed for Allah to continue to bless those who have not wavered in their efforts to see that propagation of Islam continued in all parts of the state.

The guest speaker at the event, Imam Yusuf Muhammad Jamiu whose lecture was anchored on “Youth Involvement in social vices – a challenge to Muslim Ummah” highlighted some of the characteristics of the youths and the vices that the current global trends have exposed them to.

He also looked at those that can be referred to as youths as has been described in the Qur’an which Allah said in the Holy Book to be someone who has started experiencing wet dreams or puberty or age of responsibility to the age 40.

To the lecturer, the youth are the pillar of the nation and the faith, adding that they also have the unique characteristic of being the treasure of the country, and reminded them that the civilization of any nation lay on their shoullders

“Youths occupy a prominent place in any society. We are one of the greatest assets any nation can have. We play significant roles in propagation and spread of Islam across the globe. The Holy Quran, and Sunnah and Islamic literature attest to this fact,” he said

He stated that fornication and adultery are amongst acts which are seriously frowned at among the muslims ummah, vices that have become rampant among the demographic, and was also quick to bemoan growing trend of armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, incest, among others among the youth.

He said spiritual leaders, concerned goverment parastatals , religious Community and media have a vital rule to play in orientating our youths.

Receiving his award, Governor Yahaya Bello called on the Muslim ummah to emulate the qualities of the Holy prophet Muhammad and respect their parents as they usher in the month of Muharram,the first month of the Islamic calender.

The governor who was represented by Abdulmumin Okara, admonished that the celebration should not be only used to remember the migration of the Holy prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina,but to reflect on his good virtues and teachings in our daily affairs.

He also urged Muslims to use the period to pray fervently for peace, security and rapid socio-economic development of the state.

The commemoration had in attendance religious, traditional and political leaders across the state in attendance. Present at the occasion was the Ohimegye Igu of Kotonkarfe, HRM Alhaji Abdulrazak Isah Koto; the Chairman of the state Jamaatul Nasril Islam (JNI), Ambassador Usman Bello; and the Ejeh of Dekina, Dr Usman Obaje among others.