THE Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS) on Sunday unveiled a constitution that will govern its affairs henceforth.
MUSCOYS performed the unveiling in Ibadan at a “special stakeholders consultative forum” attended by delegates, Muslim personalities, scholars and representatives of various Muslim organisations from the five zones of Oyo State.
At the event, also graced by government representatives, stakeholders called on members of the ummah as well as followers of Muslim sects and organisations to cast away perceived differences and unite for the sake of Islam and the growth of the religion.
The stakeholders brainstormed on charting a way forward for the progress of Islam and the unity and development of the faithful.
The chairman of MUSCOYS, Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, explained that the conference was organised to fashion ways to strengthen unity, love and brotherhood among the Muslims of Oyo State.
Alhaji Sanni stressed the need for Muslims to shun discrimination and divisive tendencies, urging imams to be alive to the responsibility of fostering unity within their congregations.
“We must support one another to be able to have our fair share and claim our rightful dues,” he said.
Speaking on MUSCOYS’ repositioning, the Secretary-General of the organisation, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, hinted that the new constitution would bring about comprehensive structures to achieve a united Muslim community across Oyo State.
“All delegates are implored to go back to their respective places to form area unit Muslim communities to be under ward Muslim communities, which will be under the local government Muslim communities and these will be under the Muslim Community of Oyo State,” Siyanbade explained.
The Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor Muslih Yahya, said the essence of the conference was in line with one of the objectives of MUSWEN, whixh is promotion of unity among Muslims.
One of the speakers at the conference, Dr Bashir Olanrewaju Elesinmeta, who is the Chief Missioner of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria in Oyo State, asked Muslims to retrace their steps and bring back the likeness of the communal life put in place in Madinah by Prophet Muhammad which birthed peaceful coexistence and aided the spread of Islam.
Dr Elesinmeta appealed to Muslim elders to lead a return of the era when Muslims set the pace in terms of growth and development for the rest of humanity.
“I call on Muslims to follow Allah’s injunction and prophetic teachings. Let our League of Imams and Alfas regulate preaching, especially on social media, to avoid antagonism. And we should have a common front in political participation for our benefit and for the sake of future generations,” Dr Elesinmeta said.
He used quotations from the Qur’an to underscore the importance of unity among Muslims and warn against disunity, altercations and misunderstanding.
The Oyo State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, represented by his Personal Assistant, Alhaji Akeem Azeez, urged the organisers to make the gathering a yearly event and called on Islamic clerics to be moderate in the preaching in the mass media to guard against misinformation and other undesirable consequences.
Muslim leaders from Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Ibarapa and Oke Ogun zones highlighted challenges and successes recorded by Muslim communities in their areas.
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The Oyo State deputy governor, Chief Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Administration, Alhaji Zakariya Kunle Sanni, admonished Muslims to be united and prioritise the education of their children.
The Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Abubakri Agbotomokekere, was represented by Mogaji Onisiniyan, Imam Hassan Ameen.
