By Michael Adeyemo
The Chief Imam of the University of Ibadan, Professor Ibrahim Uthman, has urged Muslim faithful to cultivate a strong commitment to humanitarian services as one of the core tenets of Islamic faith.
Professor uthman gave the advice while delivering a lecture at the maiden seminar of The Rightly Guided Foundation,an Islamic humanitarian group, organised in collaboration with the Merciful Foundation, Houston, Texas,and Mumineen Relief, USA.
The event took place at the Professor Abdul University of Ibadan Muslim Community Conference Hall.
Speaking on the theme, “Concept of Kindness in Islam,” Professor Uthman emphasised that daily worship alone is not sufficient without demonstrating kindness,charity, compassion, and care for others, particularly the less privileged and vulnerables in the society.
In another presentation titled “Zakat: Important but Neglected Pillar of Islam,”the Vice President of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria, Sheikh Issa Akindele highlighted the significance of zakat as a tool for social welfare, wealth creation and economic balancing.
Chairman on the occasion, Alhaji Munir Ademola, described the seminar’s theme,” Reawakening the Decaying Spirit of Charity and Humanity”, and the sub – themes, as timely, given the current economic challenges facing the nation and the citizens.
In his goodwill message, the Oyo State Council Missioner, Ansari ud Deen Society of Nigeria, ADS, Dr. Bashir Olanrewaju – Eleshinmeta, emphasised on the need for Islamic groups and Societies to embrace the act of collection,cordination and distribution of Zakat to reduce poverty and deprivation among the ummah.
Earlier, the Chief Operating Officer of the foundation, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, told the participants that the seminar was organised to reawaken Muslims the consciousness of Muslims to the importance of engaging in charity, compassion, and service to humanity.
Among dignitaries present at the event included the General Manager of Pensioners FM, Dr Babatunde Tiamiyu
