By Usman Aliyu
Muslim stakeholders in Edo have known as for unity, reconciliation and stronger cooperation amongst members of the neighborhood to handle inside divisions and advance their collective pursuits forward of the 2027 normal elections.
The stakeholders made the decision on Saturday in Benin throughout a one-day Muslim engagement, the place contributors raised issues about disagreements amongst Muslim leaders and establishments.
They additionally raised issues about poverty alleviation, training, youth improvement, the welfare of Muslim employees and points surrounding the sporting of hijab.
The News. Agency of Nigeria (NAN) stories that the assembly was themed:: “Unity, Cooperation and the Development of the Muslim Ummah.”
The assembly supplied a platform for Muslim leaders and different stakeholders to debate challenges dealing with the neighborhood and discover methods of strengthening unity and selling its social and financial improvement.
Participants pressured the necessity for better understanding and cooperation amongst Muslim teams, noting {that a} united neighborhood can be higher positioned to handle its issues and contribute meaningfully to the event of the state.
Speaking on the engagement, Mallam Ahmed Momoh, Special Adviser to Gov. Monday Okpebholo on Islamic Religious Matters, mentioned the assembly was convened to handle divisions inside the Muslim neighborhood and promote reconciliation.
“The essence of this programme is unity of the Ummah. We don’t want that division in the Muslim sector,” he mentioned.
Momoh mentioned the engagement was a part of efforts to supply a platform for dialogue between the federal government and Muslim stakeholders.
He added that the workplace of the Special Adviser was supposed to facilitate communication and tackle points affecting the neighborhood.
He additionally introduced plans for a Muslim Engagement Summit in Edo North in November, the place stakeholders would deliberate on the way forward for the neighborhood and its political path.
“For us as Muslims, it’s not what we will get that is most important to us. We don’t want that division in the Muslim sector,” he mentioned.
Momoh attributed the institution of the Office of the Special Adviser on Islamic Religious Matters to the Okpebholo administration’s efforts to advertise engagement with the Muslim neighborhood.
He described the workplace as an vital platform for bringing Muslim organisations collectively and strengthening communication between the neighborhood and the state authorities.
According to him, the workplace can solely obtain its aims if Muslim leaders and organisations cooperate to handle their variations.
“The office has come to stay,” he mentioned, expressing confidence that sustained engagement would strengthen cohesion inside the neighborhood.
He known as on Muslims throughout Edo to help the initiative and take part in efforts to construct a extra united neighborhood.
Momoh urged Muslim leaders and members of the neighborhood to prioritise reconciliation and collective pursuits over disagreements.
“Unity. Let us unite. Let us unite so that we will be able to fight the cause of the Ummah,” he mentioned.
The engagement introduced collectively Muslim stakeholders to debate methods of strengthening cooperation and advancing the pursuits of the neighborhood in Edo.
NAN stories that different contributors on the assembly raised issues about disagreements amongst Muslim leaders and establishments, calling for dialogue, reconciliation and stronger coordination.
One of the contributors, Usman Tijani, who recognized himself as a consultant of the League of Imams, urged the particular adviser to work with conventional rulers and different neighborhood leaders to resolve disputes affecting the Muslim neighborhood.
He mentioned present disagreements required constructive intervention to forestall additional divisions.
Another participant, Umar Abdullahi, highlighted poverty alleviation, training, youth improvement and the welfare of Muslim employees as points requiring consideration.
Other contributors known as for measures to guard Muslim pupils’ pursuits in faculties, together with addressing issues surrounding the sporting of hijab. (NAN)
==========
Edited by Chioma Ugboma
