Jare Olukotun & Mariam Akinloye
The organisers of the Hijrah festival which came into existence three years ago have emphasised the primary aim of the annual Muslim event which is the attainment of unity among Muslims in Ikorodu Division.
The Amir, Ikorodu Hijrah Celebration Planning Committee, Shaykh Musa Alwajud Mustapha Osoala As- Shaykhani Al –arifubillahi Grand Khalifah Tijjaniyah, reinstated that the Islamic New Year Celebration was designed to bring every Islamic group and Muslim faithful together as one family celebrating together.
The Hijrah (Islamic New Year) celebration which held at the Ikorodu Town Hall on Sunday is themed, “The Power of the Ummah,”.
At this year’s edition were the Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, Sheikh Seifudeen Ayinla Ademoritan Olowooribi; the Chief Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque, Sheikh Yahaya Olohunosebi Osoala As-Samadani, Sheikh Mustapha Aridegbe, the Chief Imam of Ikorodu West LCDA, Baba Jammah of Ikorodu Division, Alhaji M.O Akinsanya, Education Secretary, Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Ikorodu LG, Alhaji Taiwo Odumbo, Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Alhaji Fatai Kolawole and Deputy Chairman, IKODASS, Alhaji Babatunde Anifowoshe Olorunrinu among others.
“This festival was birthed three years ago with one clear goal — Unity among Muslims in Ikorodu Division. The modality is simple yet profound: to bring together all Islamic societies and Ratibi in a show of brotherhood, solidarity, and celebration of the Islamic New Year.
“This year’s theme, “The Power of the Ummah,” reminds us that Allah says in the Qur’an: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided” (Surah Aal-Imran 3:103). The Prophet (SAW) also said, “The believers are like one body; when one part of it is in pain, the rest responds with sleeplessness and fever.” Unity is not an option, it is our divine instruction,” he charged.
Shaykh Osoala, also called on the faithful to be more committed to the annual event especially in the area of financial contributions, stressing that sacrifices and planning are part of means of achieving unity.
“As we gather under this banner of faith, I humbly appeal to all Islamic societies and Ratibi to increase their commitment and contributions to the Hijrah celebration. Let us all begin to make annual budgetary provisions for this noble cause without waiting for public announcements or special appeals.
“Unity requires sacrifice, planning, and proactive support. We urge those societies who have not yet joined us to please come onboard. This celebration belongs to all of us. The Hijrah is our shared legacy, and its remembrance must be our shared responsibility,” the Amir said.
He called for occasional exchange of prayers between Grand Chief Imam Olowooribi and Chief Imam Oshoala at their central mosques as good examples to their followers and to send a strong message to the general public.
He appreciated leaders and members of the Muslim Community that are working tirelessly to ensure unity and progress.
Alhaji Fatai Kolawole, Chairman IKODASS, also speaking said that the annual celebration is to further the unity and peace within the community .
“This is the third edition of Hijrah. It is an event that we now celebrate every year to show that we are now united within the Muslim community. You can see many societies joining this celebration, and I wish by next year it would be more than this.
“We are going to need the government and everybody’s support in this place.
“Since we are now together, we must make ourselves one anywhere we are and we must cooperate with organisers so that we can achieve more than this next year,” he said
The guest lecturer, Shaykh Saheed Iyanda Liadi Abojukoro who spoke on the theme of the celebration said that Muslims must work together and speak with one voice to have a strong and united community. He also added that a society that has effective communication and cooperation between the government and its citizenry will definitely have working systems.
Shaykh Abujokoro recalling the years of disunity within the Ikorodu Muslim community which he said brought setback, charged that power of congregation lies primarily on love as ordained by God stressing that the Muslim community in Ikorodu must adhere to and sustain values of unity.
He called for sustenance of unity and cooperation among members of the Muslim community.
Other guests in attendance were Imam Maja, Imam Alade Abiodun, Sheikh Alhaji Mutador Amokomowo, Alhaja (Chief) Shakirat Ogunsanya among others.
Popular Islamic musician, Soaty Arewa, supplied good music at the celebration that was attended by hundreds of faithful from different mosques and Islamic groups.
