The Muslim Community of Oyo State, MUSCOY has organized Special Stakeholders Consultative Forum for Muslims and Islamic organizations across the state to brainstorm and chart way forward for the progress of the religion and unity among the believers.
The all encompassing gathering, held at the MUSCOY Secretariat, Samonda, Ibadan had delegates, including Islamic organizations, prominent Muslim scholars and others from all spheres of life drawn from the five zones of Oyo State.
The Chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo State, MUSCOY, Alhaji Kunle Sanni explained that the conference was organized to strengthen unity, love and Islamic brotherhood.
Alhaji Sanni stressed the need for Muslims to shun discrimination and divisive tendencies, urging Imams to be alive to their responsibility of fostering unity.
“We must support one another to be able to have our fair share and claim our rightful dues”, he said.
Speaking on MUSCOY repositioning, the Executive Secretary of the organization, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade hinted that a new Constitution has been unveiled to emplace a comprehensive structure to achieve a united Muslim Community across the state.
“All delegates are enjoined to go back to their respective places to form Are Unit Muslim Community to be under Ward Muslim Community, which will be under the local government Muslim Community and this will be under the Muslim Community of Oyo State, MUSCOY, Siyanbade explained.
The Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN, Professor Muslih Yahya said the conference is in line with the motto of unity among Muslims propagates by his organization.
One of the speakers of the conference with the theme “Consolidating our togetherness” Dr Bashir Olanrewaju, who is also the Oyo state Missioner, Ansar -Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria maintained that the conference would afford Muslims the opportunity to retrace steps back towards emplacing a prototype of Islamic Communal life put in place in Madina by Prophet Muhammad which birthed peaceful coexistence and progress of Islam.
“I call on Muslims to follow Allah injunctions 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 benefits and future generations”, he noted.
Dr Olanrewaju quoted Quran chapter 3, Verse 103 and Quran chapter 8, Verse 46 to underscore the importance of unity among Muslims and warning against disunity, altercations and misunderstanding.
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, represented by his Personal Assistant, Alhaji Akeem Azeez urged the organizers to make the gathering yearly event, calling on Islamic clerics to regulate on air preachings to guide against misinformation and other unwanted consequences.
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Other speakers who are Zonal Chairmen from Ibadan, Oyo, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso and Oke-Ogun zones 1 and 2 highlighted challenges and successes recorded by Muslim Communities in their areas.
Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal who spoke through his Special Assistant on Administration, Alhaji Zakariya Kunle-Sanni admonished Muslims to be united and prioritize education of their children.
In their remarks, the Iyalaje Adinni of Oyo State, Ambassador Romoke Ayinde and the Ameerat FOMWAN, Dr Latifat Dairo emphasized that youth enlightenment and good parenting were required to build a better Islamic society.