Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, an organization promoting social re-order through engagement, has partnered religious leaders, Imams and Islamic Scholars, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos State Government, Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Chapter, on promotion of anti-corruption messages in their areas of jurisdictions, for a new order.
The National Chief Imam and Executive Director, Encouraging Accountability and Transparency Through Faith-Based Intervention (EAT-FIn), Al-Habibiyyah Society of Nigeria, Imam Fuad Adeyemi, said the partnership is important for all stakeholders to ensure that messages against corruption in Nigeria have the desired impact on the society.
Adeyemi stated this during a sensitization programme for Imams and Scholars across the state, and held at Lagos State Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja.
We must remember that Almighty Allah will ask all of us to render account of our deeds in the Hereafter, so the Imams and other religious clerics should lead us in the right direction because they are our leaders
According to him, the group’s advocacy is important as result of the followership it controls across board.
The group, according to Adeyemi, has been at the forefront of preaching accountability and good governance and is the second Islamic organization in the country to monitor election both home and abroad.
In his welcome address, Imam Adeyemi stated that the group, since inception and during the last Ramadhan, fed over 1, 500 people on a daily basis.
Chairman of the occasion, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Lagos State, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, commended the group for the great initiative and stated that as Imams and Pastors are believed to be men of God, government need all of them to help encourage the right values in the society, particularly in the area of accountability and anti-corruption.
He added: “We must remember that Almighty Allah will ask all of us to render account of our deeds in the Hereafter, so the Imams and other religious clerics should lead us in the right direction because they are our leaders.”
The Zonal Head, EFCC, Lagos, Mr. Umar Hadeja, who represented the Acting Executive Chairman of the commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, noted that it is time we begin to ask ourselves some pertinent questions: what does Islam say about corruption? What does the Quran say about the punishment that awaits any believing Muslim who engages in corrupt practices?
Hadeja equally said that faith-based organisations must be seriously involved in this enlightenment campaign, considering the fact that every religion preaches against moral decadence, act of indiscipline and other vices, including corruption.
“The Enlightenment and Re-orientation Unit of the Public Affairs Directorate of the Commission has been engaging various stakeholders in the anti-corruption war. The sensitisation programmes are designed not only to enlighten the populace about the danger of corruption, but to also encourage them to take ownership of the anti-corruption fight,” he explained.
He also commended the organisers for the choice of the theme of the event: ‘Promoting Accountability, Transparency and Reducing Corrupt Practices In Our Society: An Islamic Approach’.
Chairman of Lagos State Council NUJ, Dr Qasim Akinreti, urged Islamic clerics to join the crusade to combat ills in the society, especially in the area of corruption and other social vices. “The NUJ Lagos State will continue to interact with leaders of different faiths towards promoting a just society free of corrupt practices,” he said.
Guest lecturers at the event included Prof. Kamil Olosho, the South West Vice President, Al-Habibiyyah, and Head of Department, Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan, Dr Saheed Timehin, a lecturer of Foreign Language Department of Lagos State University and others.
Al-Habibiyyah has held similar programmes in the northern parts of Nigeria. This will also be a follow up to the two residential workshops on promotion of messages on anti- corruption.
