Imbibe Ramadan teachings on unity, peace – Kogi Poly Muslims charge Ummah

0
305

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

MUSLIM Staff Welfare Scheme of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja has charged Muslim Ummah to imbibe the teachings of the holy month of Ramadan on unity and peaceful coexistence in their daily endeavours.

The body made the call in its Inaugural Pre-Ramadan Lectures to commemorate the commencement of the 2023 Ramadan fasting season with members of the Polytechnic’s Muslim Community and invited guests.

President of the Welfare Scheme, Isa Obenege Suleiman stated that the lecture was aimed at strengthening unity and brotherliness among members of the Muslim Community of the institution.

He further revealed that the lecture also aimed to serve as retreat for the Muslim Ummah to enhance their understanding of spiritual and physical benefits of Ramadan adding that the Welfare Scheme debuted in 2014.

Suleiman said it had been providing succour for Muslims in the areas of loans and other benefits to cater for their immediate and long-term needs, as well as providing same support for non-muslim staff of the Polytechnic.

The Guest Lecturer, Sheikh Dr Mohammed Salis Alfa, in his lecture titled, “Ramadan: Spiritual and Social Benefits for the Muslim Ummah” said that the month of Ramadan comes with more consciousness to the obligations of the almighty.

Alfa who is of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, urged the Muslim Ummah to allow the obligations to reflect in their daily conducts.

Quoting from the Holy Quran 2:183, the Don noted that apart from self-restraint from eating and drinking during the stipulated times in the holy month, there was equal need for abstinence from backbiting, gossip, idle talks and laxity towards work.

The Islamic scholar also advised that as Ramadan comes with peace and bountiful rewards for every good act as well as warding off unrest and insecurity, the holy month also promotes compassion and blessings.

Prof. S. D. Musa, Chairman of the occasion and two-time former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), PAAU, Anyigba, lauded the Initiative of the lecture.

He expressed confidence that it would serve as medium for reawakening of the consciousness of participants on why they were created by God and the need for their lives to reflect the divine purpose for their creation.

Prof. Musa commended Dr Ogbo Usman for the leadership quality he provided at Polytechnic adding that the Rector’s character and personality coupled with his pragmatism had rubbed positively on the Polytechnic.

The Rector, Dr Ogbo Usman commended the organisers for their continued propagation of unity in the institution and noted that the event was timely.

He said that the programme would help keep the participants abreast of the bountiful benefits of the holy month of Ramadan and as well sensitised them to be wary of acts capable of denying them such benefits.

The Rector who also lauded the achievement of the scheme in supporting staff with financial and material supports and,m assured them of his support and encouragement to make it more vibrant.