* Seeks youth participation in mosque administration
By Ameerah Bolajoko
The Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU), Admiral Jubrila Ayinla has advocated for Muslim youths’ active participation in the administration of mosques.
This he said would build a community of vibrant young Muslims and foster the propagation of Islam.
Speaking at the 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Ummah, Admiral Ayinla noted that the youths should not be left out of Da’wah (Islamic propagation) and called on the elders to encourage youths’ active involvement in mosques’ activities.
The AGM held on Sunday, 27th October at the Rear Admiral Jubrila Ayinla Hall of the Central Mosque, Lekki, Lagos, witnessed the presentation of annual reports of activities and programmes of the Ummah by various committees for the period ending 2023.
Muslim News gathered that some of the committee reports read at the event included an audit report, Da’wah, property management, Ramadan, zakat, welfare, women and youth wings’, among others.
Jubrila Ayinla said, “Not many people are present (at the AGM) the way we want them to be here. We should be reporting to the house not ourselves. All of us (here) are old. As you can see, we have been here for more than two to three decades. It’s high time the younger ones took over from us.
“Da’wah should be for the younger people. We have had so many lessons and injunctions of Islam, the Qur’an and sunnah. We need the younger ones to now take over. So, many youths should be encouraged to come and participate in the activities of the mosque.”
He praised various committees for their hard work, commitment and positive impacts, not only felt within the community but other underserved communities in the State.
According to him, “Our Da’wah committee under the direction of our Imam Dr. Ridhwan Jamiu, an erudite scholar continues to organise its quarterly Da’wah Annual Imams’ Conference and Tafsir not only during Ramadan but all year round.
“Our Zakat Committee receives zakat collection and disburses same with high level of integrity in line with best Islamic practices and with the aim of achieving economic upliftment and empowerment for the beneficiaries in addition to providing succour and support to the needy and the infirmed.”
Jubrila Ayinla disclosed that the LEMU group of Schools continues to ramp up its operations, adding that trainings were organised for both Tahfeez teachers and secular subjects teachers in the year under review.
What we are doing to engage youths – Dr. Jamiu
The Lekki Imam, Dr. Ridwan Jamiu said the “Biannual Youth Da’wah and Leadership Training Camp” is one of the newly introduced programmes of the Da’wah Committee targeted at youths who are professionals.
He said, “It will be held twice in a year; during the Easter and Christmas holidays. 40 youths, comprising 20 ladies and 20 men will be on camp for the one-day non-residential training programme that will be held between 9 a.m.and 6 p.m.
Participants will be selected through affirmative action and open invitation.
Other programmes of the Da’wah Committee according to Imam Jamiu include annual Imam conference, quarterly Da’wah workshop, Friday tafsir, counselling which goes on daily, among others.
“It has been observed that marital discords and other family conflicts bothering on inheritance, siblings’ rivalry, business dealings, etc, have been on the increase in recent times. Similarly, cases of depression, drug addiction, and other issues that require psychotherapy have been on the increase. In view of this development, efforts will be made to create more time for counselling. Known clinical psychologists will also be drafted in when necessary,” said Dr Jamiu.
Speaking with Muslim News, Ms. Sesan Sulaimon, Youth Secretary for LEMU, said the focus of the Committee is to build an Islamic community around the Ummah Mosque, built as a centre for spiritual rejuvenation and citadel of learning and community development.
She disclosed that the committee introduced mentorship, training and empowerment programmes in collaboration with the Zakat Committee to engage the young people from young ages before they reach 40 years for community goal.
According to her, “We have series of youth-oriented programmes including the Eid Fun Fest that happens every year. It’s a big event which has over 500 people in attendance. It’s a family programme which holds a day after Ramadan. We also do different programmes that are tailored towards helping youths to improve their status in life.
“Essentially, the essence of the committee is to bring the youth to the mosque. We also tried to connect with people where it matters. We form alliance with different organisations. We engage in charitable activities such as outreaches with orphanages, correctional centers for young people, among others. We pray that things get easier in coming years in shaa Allah,” she added.
We thank Allah for opportunity to render account of stewardship: President
LEMU President, Dr. AbdulGaniy Labinjo thanked Allah for another opportunity to render an account of stewardship in the preceding year which is in line with the principle of transparency, accountability and inclusivity, saying, “This is what Islam teaches us and that is what we practice.”
He appreciated the Executive Committee for their continuous effort to keep the flag flying by building on existing foundation built by their predecessors.
“We continue to ensure that our physical infrastructures are not only well maintained but also improved upon. There is a need to preserve the ambience of the mosque which is a source of pride, and its environs, maintain cleanliness of all its facilities.”
