The Muslim Congress (TMC) has launched an N80 million cemetery project to address the problem of space for burial of Muslims in South Western Nigeria.
Faces of stakeholders at launching of the International Maqbara Cementry project at the weekend in Lagos.
The Cemetery is to be modelled after the one in Leicester in the United Kingdom.
Speaking at a fund-raising event for
the project at the Dawah centre on Sunday in Lagos, the Amir of the
organisation, Dr Luqman Abdurraheem explained that the idea of the
cemetery was necessitated by the need to comply with Sharia requirements
regarding handling of corpses, preparation of graves, funeral prayers
and burying of corpses.
“Most of the existing Muslim cemetery
facilities (particularly in South Western Nigeria) are grossly
inadequate, poorly secured and loosely managed.
“We have continuously begged for space
to bury our dead members, relations and well-wishers in line with
Islamic burial rites, as existing public cemeteries are no more enabling
and conducive for burial due to sharp practices and unethical
practices,” he said.
He added that the project is a
practical demonstration and preparedness for the reality of death which
has consistently form part of TMC preaching for over two decades of its
existence as a pace-setting organisation in Nigeria.
The five-acre land located at
Iberekodo Village near Igbosoro town in Mosimi area of Ogun State,
according to Dr Abdurraheem, was donated by members in Ikorodu axis.
“The dreams of yesteryears are realities of today.
“Guided by this wise maxim, The
Congress has a vision of an international cemetery, hence the name
International Muslim Cemetery (IMC),” he declared.
He urged participants at the event to
pause and reflect on the reality of death, saying that some of the
forerunners of the organisation had already passed away while striving
on the path.
“Where are my peers? If I die, where
will I be buried? Where are the likes of Prof. Abdulhakeem Mobolaji, Dr
Amushan, Umm Abdullah Atitebi, Musa Akoshile, Ustadh Abdul Jeleel
Muhammadu-Raji, Abdulhakeem Popoola, Muhammad-Jamiu Adeyemi (MJ),
Shua’ib Abdulmu’min, Ismail Olowo, Nurudeen Animashaun, Abdurrazak
Jumu’ah and host of valuable Islamic workers and well-wishers too
numerous to mention?
The Managing Director of Atwak Nigeria
Limited, Captain Tunde Wakil Adeoye, who chaired the occasion, urged
the audience to ponder on their activities regularly as death could come
at any point in time.
While acknowledging the role of the
TMC in shaping his Islamic orientation and view about life, Captain
Adeoye said that the cemetery project was a laudable initiative that
every Muslim must key into.Also speaking, the Chairman of TMC Shurah, Imam Shuaib Abdullah, emphasised the need for Muslims to take the project with all seriousness by contributing towards its realisation.
He said that the grave was a difficult place to live but preparation for it was the most difficult thing that man fails to make.
“We all strive to build houses but we
fail to build the grave that we are going to be interred when we die.
There are both enjoyments and punishments in the grave. It is the
preparations that we make that will determine which one will be our lot
in the grave.
“I urge you all to donate generously towards this course as the return on investment is unquantifiable,” he said.(L-R) Imam Shuaib Abdullah, the CEO of Jaiz Zakat & Waqf Trust Fund and Dr Ismail Ibrahim, Senior Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos a the Maqbara project launch in Lagos.
He explained that the N80m being
sought is just the starting point, saying that members should be
prepared to pay for the maintenance of the cemetery when completed.
Over N16m was realised at the end of the event with more promises from members and well-wishers of the TMC.
By Adeyemi SulaimonThis Ramadan Should Be A Means Of Self Re-styleThere are two essential steps to
re-style ourselves as righteous; know yourself and Unique Re-style
Techniques based on knowledge of oneself. To truly succeed, a person
need to moderate high emotional, mental and physical stability.
Look deep
into yourself, into your heart and try to figure out what is that makes
you cry, laugh, happy, sad, angry, who adds toxicity in your life, who
is always there for you in your hour of need and guides you towards
righteousness. Do your own analysis.
1. What are your strengths that make
you go higher in righteousness? Maybe it’s a regular attendance at
lectures, or staying with righteous ones?
2. What are your weaknesses that make
you slacken your speed to being righteous – watching television everyday
or a conversation with certain person, which always ends up in gossip
or perhaps staying alone always?
3. What obstacles threaten you in your endeavour to be righteous? Maybe its your inability to understand what the Quran says?
4. What opportunities can you avail to
help you stay righteous and enhance it? Maybe listening to lectures of
an ustadh or a weekly meeting with other righteous ones in the masjid?
5. What will you miss the most during those hours of tiredness, hunger and thirst?
6. What kinds of food will you crave for?
7. What kind of talk will you miss?
8. Will it be hard to forgive and overlook the mistakes or harsh words of people, or will it be easier than you thought?
9. Do you find it hard to hold on to that remark or reply that can be hurtful to others?
10. When are you the most happy in a day?
11. Do you find it easier to control your hunger than your temper?
12. Do you like rising early than sleeping till late?
This is a month of knowing yourself
deeply. As you fast, you will be full of energy and motivation, but as
the days progress, the motivation will slacken.
Look deep into yourself. When you do that, you will see yourself clearly.
IMPORTANT:
Don’t Judge yourself based on what you see and become disheartened. None
of us are perfect as we all struggle with our own vices.
It takes immense strength to look within
and see oneself clearly; the good, the bad and the ugly. Ma sha Allah
you are a strong person by just attempting to do that.
Now, it’s time to restyle ourselves in sha Allah!
The analysis will help you know your self better. Once you know your strengths, you can use them to leverage your weaknesses. You can keep your eyes focused on opportunities that make you work harder at being righteous and avail them at the first instant.
You can ask Allah to protect you and your heart from what threatens you and to give you the confidence to strongly face them.
List of tremendous opportunities this month that you can use to strengthen your strengths and weaken your weaknesses further.
Best times for Makeover:
1. Bare your Soul to Allah at Suhoor: Use the time of suhoor (by waking up a little earlier) to pray tahajjud and quietly talk to Allah.
1. Bare your Soul to Allah at Suhoor: Use the time of suhoor (by waking up a little earlier) to pray tahajjud and quietly talk to Allah.
Talk to HIM, like you talk to your best friend. Complain, discuss, ask and listen. Allah always answers.
2. Befriend Al-Quran: The best
make-over artist in this world is the Quran. It cleanses the
heart, entertains and teaches with its stories of war, conflict, love,
patience, intrigue and mercy.
It shows us what qualities we should aim
for in our makeover and comforts us when we feel lonely and tired after
a long day of trying hard. As a bonus, it becomes our only friend that
will stay with us to hold our hands when we are alone and terrified
in our graves.
(L-R)
Imam Shuaib Abdullah, the CEO of Jaiz Zakat & Waqf Trust Fund and
Dr Ismail Ibrahim, Senior Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication,
University of Lagos a the Maqbara project launch in Lagos.
Giving a feasibility analysis of the project, Dr Ismail Ibrahim of
the University of Lagos said the cemetery would be modelled after the
Leicester City Public Cemetery in the UK, which according to him, has
facilities such as spaces for burial, bathing and praying for the dead
as well as vehicles for conveying the dead.
He explained that the N80m being
sought is just the starting point, saying that members should be
prepared to pay for the maintenance of the cemetery when completed.
Over N16m was realised at the end of the event with more promises from members and well-wishers of the TMC.
By Adeyemi Sulaimon
3. Strengthen Your Hands: by giving in
charity daily. Be it a smile, small amount of money, cooking little
extra food and sending to someone needy. A small but consistent act each
day.
4. Meet and Greet our Awesome
Predecessors: This month, get a book or bookmark a website and
learn about the lives of either one or all the Prophets,
companions of the Messenger of Allah, or our great scholars.
companions of the Messenger of Allah, or our great scholars.
They were human beings like us and
struggled with the same emotions that we do while facing trials that
were far greater than ours. And they succeeded. Learn how they dealt
with situations and pick up points that you can apply in
sha Allah.
sha Allah.
5. Go to Allah: Each day, at least five
times, get dressed and go to meet Allah, the only Being, who no matter
how many times you knock on His door, is always happy to see you, to
listen to you. He never tires of hearing you tell the same story for the
100th time.
He is the only being who can truly guide
and help you, who has the solution to all your problems, who has all
that you seek to give you. Meet Him in your salah, in your nawafil
(voluntary prayers), in your Taraweeh.
When you step on the prayer mat and say
Allah Akbar, know that the Most Majestic, the Most Merciful, the Most
Loving being in this whole world is listening to you and looking at you
with love.
If we apply these tips and more, then in
shaa Allah by the end of this Ramadan, our make over will be evident to
us and to those around us. May Allah accept our efforts and count us
among those who attain righteousness this month, Ameen!
By AbdulBasit Abdusalam
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