By Buhari Bello Jega
The Academic Forum of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Kogi State University Chapter organised Maulud celebration to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (S), with a Theme: “Prophet Muhammad (S): The Symbol of Justice, Peace and Unity”.
The Maulud celebration was held on 23rd Rabiul Thani 1435 AH, equivalent to Gregorian calendar 23rd February, 2014 at Lecture Theatre 2 faculty of Law, Kogi State University, Anyigba.
The programme started with opening prayers; follow by ziyarat recitation to the Holy Prophet (S). In his welcome address, brother Mika’al U. Yunus, the Kogi State coordinator of the forum, sincerely welcome all members to yet another year, month and day to commemorate the birth of the greatest servant of Allah Prophet Mustapha Muhammad (S). That Academic Forum of the Islamic Movement in Kogi State University Anyigba chapter chosed today 23rd February 2014 to celebrate the birth of the greatest reformer and the leader of the universal religion Muhammad Mustapha (S) with the Theme: “Prophet Muhammad: The Symbol of Justice, Peace and Unity”.
Brother Mika’al U. Yunus, informed participants, that, “In general there is none like Prophet Muhammad (S); our love for him can never be gauged in whatever form and therefore celebrating his birthday is an expression of our deep rooted love and respect for him. We celebrates Prophet Muhammad because he declare that all human being are equal and the highest of rank is he who is the most obedient to Allah and most useful to mankind”. He conclude his speech by congratulating the leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria Sayyed Ibraheem Y. Zakzaky, for this year’s maulud celebration attended by millions of people in Zaria where Muslims and non-Muslims participated in the celebration of the leaders of humanity.
The Maulud celebration was chaired by Brother Shuaibu Isah Ahmad, coordinator of the Central working Committee of the Academic Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria. In his opening remarks, he congratulated brothers and sisters of academic forum Kogi State University Anyigba, for organizing such a colourful mualud celebration in the University campus. He said, this is a milestone indeed, and praise their determination, courage and foresight of brothers and sisters for what they have achieved so far. He urged them, to remain steadfast, and put their trust in Allah for whatever challenges they may be confronted in the present and future, which he hope they will not encountered insha Allah.
The paper titled: “Prophet Muhammad: The Symbol of Justice, Peace and Unity” was eloquently and passionately presented by Sheikh Ahmad Bello Ankpa, as the Guest Speaker. In his opening remark, he congratulated brothers and sisters of the academic forum for organising such a wonderful programme and the large turnout of participants from various tertiary institutions across the state. Sheikh Ahamd Bello debunked the notion of opposition to the Maulud celebration by some brothers in Islam, who see it as an innovation. He reminded participants that the Holy Prophet was created as a mercy to humanity; therefore, as a sign of appreciation, we need to rejoice and shows our appreciation to the Benevolence and all merciful Allah, linking his explanation with various verses of the Holy Qur’an such as Qur’an 10:57-58 etc.
Sheikh Bello further informed participants, that the Holy Prophet (S) was a personality without equal; he is sent to purify and present humanity towards the worship of one God. He further, narrated that, the Prophet of Islam (S), was given five attributes, which was not given to any prophet of Allah. These attributes includes; Universal message to humanity without demarcations; given a Holy Book (Quran) that contained all the previous books; Allah’s promised to preserved his book (Quran) against distortion unlike other books; Allah’s honour followers of Prophet Muhammad (S)with Jihad as a way of protection against enemies and religious stagnation and finally, Allah made memorization of the Holy Quran easier to all.
On the Justice of the Holy Prophet (S), the guest speaker, said, the coming of the Holy Prophet (S), liberated the people from worshipping of idols to oneness of Allah; he liberated people from the yokes of ethnicity and bloodshed; he brighten the world with civilization and knowledge; he liberated women and gave them their right to lives and be hard, therefore, endangering the culture of equality in worship and spiritual aspiration. On the Peace initiatives and unity of purpose, the guest speaker enumerated various peace initiatives and how the Holy Prophet strengthens the bond of peace and unity among the Muslims and even non-Muslims. He therefore, reminded the Muslims, that, what divided them is slimmer than what unite them, because, they are Muslims who believed in Allah; Prophethood of Muhammad (S) as the seal of all Prophet (a). Because, we Muslims faces thesame qibla for prayers; fast on the month of Ramadan; performed hajj pilgrimage and read same Holy Quran; then why the difference and killing around the world.
In his concluding remark, Sheikh Bello, call for Muslims unity, as the symbols of their survival in this anarchical world we found ourselves. He said this has being the calling of Sayyed Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) in the last three decades. Refusal to unite, will only lead to greater killing and annihilation of the Muslims population, especially with the current conspiracy in the name of Boko Haram. He urged students to open their chest and brain for research and ask questions on some practicing they don’t understand or have no knowledge upon.
However, Mallam Sani Isah, a lecturer from the Economist department commended the organisers for organising such a programme that brings together brothers and sisters from different institutions in the state for the purpose of discussing the personality of the Holy Prophet (S). Mallam Sani said most atrocities committed in the name of Islam, were created to demonised the religion of Islam. He urged those with the knowledge of Islam, to be sincere and enlighten the people on the true nature of Islam. He charges brothers and sisters to see themselves as Muslims, brothers and sisters of one another. That they should avoid discrimination and abusive language among themselves, because, the beauty of Islam, lies in it teachings and beautiful examples of the Holy Prophet (S). Sister Fatima Sulaiman Dantsoho, in her contribution urged students to research and open up their hearts to new interesting realities and to research on Islam and avoid distraction.
The hallmark of the event is the cutting of the cake to mark the formal celebration of the birth of the Holy Prophet (S). The cake was later shared to all participants for the love of the Holy Prophet (S). However, Mr Thomas Gomment, the patron of the forum at the University, gave the voter of thanks. In his speech, Mr Thomas Gomment, reminded, the organiser, that since he has finally converted to Islam, he should be referred to as Mallam Muhammad Awwal Gomment. He narrated his passionate and interesting story to Islam and the beauty and happiness he is enjoying as a Muslim. He thanks all the invited guests and participants for attended the programme and promise to continue assistance and support to the organisers in the future.
The following personalities whose presence were felt at the programme include Sheikh Ahmad Bello, Mallam Suleiman Dantsoho of NACOMIYO, Brother Shuaibu Isah Ahmad of Academic Forum Central working Committee, Dr. Y.B Hassan of Faculty of Law, Alh Musa Aliyu, Bukhari Muhammad Bello Jega, Sister Aisha Mohammed, Nusaiba Abubakar Zaki, Sister Fatima Abubakar Zaki, Sister Khadija from Abuja. It was a successful programme especially against the background that the organisers are mostly young and energetic students and the programme held inside the heart of the University was a major achievement of sought.