By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan.
The Grand Imam and Spiritual Head of Shafaudeen-In-Islam Worldwide, Professor Sabit Ariyo Olagoke has asked Nigerians to pray for the reformation of the country in 2017.
Professor Olagoke made the call while announcing the Ishirat 2017 of the Mission which begins on January 13 and ends by month end and as well congratulating Nigerians on successfully weathering through present economic, socio-political storms rocking the country.
The Cleric pointed out that there is the need for Nigerians particularly devout Moslems to pray harder this year and move closer to Allah as well as embrace the teachings of Prophet Mohammed SAW, otherwise their sacrifices would be in vain.
The Spiritual Head of Shafaudeen-In-Islam Worldwide emphasized that there is the need for fervent prayers with sincere minds and purified bodies in the new year, saying, “prayer is potent when it comes from sincere minds and purified bodies otherwise inter-denominational prayers would be rendered ineffective, theatrically derisive and useless”.
Stressing that “God answers the prayer of the just and crowns the efforts of those who sincerely call upon Him. Avoid fetish power and all forms of idolatry”, Prof Olagoke called on Nigerians particularly the political and religious stakeholders to maintain tolerance and apply religious principles which they were taught and being taught in their places of worship.
According to him, without the religious virtues contained in Holy Quran and Bible, the aspiration to have a reformed Nigeria in 2017 would turn out to be a mirage.
Commenting on the wrong usage of the word Jihad in Islam, he said “no religion directs any of his followers to engage in violence to win souls.”
“Jihad is an evangelical mission or ways of spreading the words of God for the purpose of converting into Islamic faith and maintaining the convention for the same reason in the true practice of Islam in order that the person is reformed and the world benefits in terms of achieved peace and development as religious goal. Try to create an air of acceptance around yourself because people see what you are before they hear what you say. Integrity is an effective tool for Jihad.”
Activities lined up for the annual Ishirat included lectures and symposia on national issues with speakers from major religious faiths in the country while the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Alhaji AbdulGaniy Abubakar Agbotomokekere would feature during the launch of two books “Religion: beyond the opium and Nigeria and security issue” by Professor Olagoke.
