An Islamic scholar, Shelkh Taofeek Akewugbagold has advised Islamic organisations in the South West geopolitical zone to concentrate on issues that will attract positive development instead of focusing on issues that will cause division among Muslims in the zone.
He made this disclosure on Wednesday in Ibadan during a press conference heralding a 3-Day conference of League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States billed to take place in Ijebu Ode, Ogun state.
Akewugbagold while addressing the journalists, said that it is incumbent upon various Islamic organisation in the region to foster and strengthen Islamic unity.
He said that considering the extent to which religion is drifting Nigerians apart especially in the South West, there is a need to have a stakeholders meeting in which some matters would be resolved urgently.
He said that the theme of the conference is “Strengthening Islamic Unity and Progress in Yorubaland”.
Akewugbagold said that the conference would be used to dissect the immediate and remote causes of crises within and among various Islamic organisations.
He added that this will help to find lasting solution to several indifferences among Muslims in the region.
He used the opportunity to call on various Islamic organisations in the region to concentrate on issues that will enhance meaningful development and not issues that will create more problems.
Akewugbagold who flanked with the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Sheikh Yunus Ayilara, Wakiel Muslimin of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Shelkh Kolawole Lawal and Grand Chief Imam of Epe, Imam Abiola Abdul Rahman, said that religion should practiced in a way that will bring development to the community.
He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to move the country from being a consuming country to a productive one in order for the country to witness develop and be self-dependent.
Akewugbagold said, “Religion, as a way of life should be practiced in such a way that bring development to Yoruba race and Nigeria in general. There is the need to foster Islamic unity within various sects since we believe we are worshiping one God (Allah) with a view to bring progress to entire Yoruba race.
“It is incumbent upon various Islamic organisations to foster and strengthen Islamic unity rather than causing confusion and destabilising the polity since there reference point is Quran and Hadith of prophet Muhammed (SAW). We plan to use the conference to bridge the gap between all Muslims kings in the south-west, Islamic scholars and Imams in the region”.
The Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Sheikh Yunus Ayilara, in his own contribution, said that everyone is being affected by the current economic downturn in the country.
Ayilara then advised Tinubu to review some of his economic policies and put measures in place to alleviate the suffering of the masses.
He also called on Nigerians to be patient with the president and continue to pray for unity, progress and development of the country.