Sultan urges religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on Muslims to be more tolerant of adherents of other religions and become agents of peace and national unity.

Abubakar stated this on Friday in a statement made available to journalist in Osogbo, Osun State, at the commissioning of Asiwaju Khamis Olatunde Badmus Central Mosque, built by Asiwaju Musulumi for South-West States, Edo and Delta States, Olatunde Badmus, to mark his 80th birthday celebrations.

Represented by the Deputy President General (South), Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, the spiritual leader explained that true religious understanding should produce disciplined, compassionate and enlightened Muslims who build peace and not destroy it.

He said, “Let me give my Muslim brothers and sisters some advice. Let us make efforts to understand our religion properly. True religious understanding should produce disciplined, compassionate and enlightened Muslims who build peace and not destroy it.”

“Religion should transform us inwardly, turning intolerance into friendship, hostility into love and conflict into collaboration. In essence, we become agents of peace and reconciliation.”

He commended Badmus for putting in place the mosque for the use of Muslims in the area and beyond, saying apart from making available a place where people can worship God, the edifice will also enhance the progress of humanity.

In his sermon at the event, Grand Mufti of Ilorin Emirates, Sheikh Faruq Onikijipa, admonished people in the positions of authority to imbibe fear of God and serve humanity with the privileges they have.

Onikijipa, who said wealth should be used for the purpose that will benefit humanity, commended Badmus for building the mosque to mark his birthday.

“God will question the rich people regarding the source of their wealth and how they administer it. If they fail to provide good answer to the two questions, they will go to hell.

“80 years is for reflection of ones life and the reflection must lead to gratitude to Allah. Part of the ways to give gratitude to God for the past years, is building of mosque, house of worship,” he said.

Speaking with the journalists after he had led the first Jummat in the mosque, the National Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Shiek Abdur-Rahman Ahmad, harped on other important roles that religious centres play on fostering communal peace.

Describing a mosque as not just a prayer hall, Ahmad said, “It is a community and resource centre. It is a place for social and community development and a place that would cater to the needs of the less privileged.

“It is an educational institution. A mosque should solve the problem of society not create problems for society. It is a go-to place for people who are in need.”

The event which was attended by friends, family members and business associates of the celebrants, also had in attendance personalities that include ex Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, Grand Imam of Osun State, Shiek Musa Animasahun, legal luminary, Prof Yusuf Alli (SAN) among others.