Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has urged Muslim faithfuls to use Ramadan, as a period of devotion and contemplation, to rededicate themselves to the doing and promotion of the will of Allah.
Dr. Hamzat gave the advice while speaking as the keynote speaker at the 30th University of Lagos Muslim Alumni Pre-Ramadan Lecture, with the theme “Transformative Power of Ramadan” held at the J. F Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba.
According to Hamzat, “I want to urge Muslim faithfuls to use this period of devotion and contemplation to rededicate ourselves to doing the will of Allah. Wherever we are, whatever our status is, we must promote the will of Allah. Our personal resolve to create impact individually will create such outstanding changes that will enable humanity to prosper.”
The Deputy Governor stated that Muslims must promote the will of Allah and must be able to replicate the haven Allah envisions for them, describing the month of Ramadan as sacred for Muslims. He stated that Muslims should extend the impact of Ramadan beyond the one-month fasting period.
Speaking further, the Deputy Governor charged Muslim Clerics to domesticate their preaching in line with our societal values, norms, and morals to build a better nation, stressing that Allah’s intention for creating mankind is for man to worship and serve Him alone.
While highlighting some challenges facing humanity in the present day with the invention of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Hamzat noted that the world has arrived at the most challenging part of human existence, as some of the issues are of social and economic significance as well as orientations and perceptions that impinge on humanity.
“We clearly must address them and quickly too. The tide of individualism, as a way of life, must be confronted and fast. The ebbing of the societal moral compass needs to be arrested. If we fail the consequences are just too high to contemplate,” he said.
Furthermore, he added that there is corruption, hunger, pervasive poverty, Racism, and tribal profiling that drive humanity across the world.
Hamzat therefore, underscored that the survival of the community depends on the extent to which the individual feels reasonably certain that his/ her interest is being served and is willing to give obedience for its continuity.
In his lecture, with the theme “Islam and the Interception of Humanity and Religion,” Prof. Moshood Baderin noted that Islam advocates for a well-structured and just society where citizens have access to the fundamental necessities of life.
He emphasized that Islam harmonizes humanity and faith, encouraging good deeds, support for the less privileged, and positively impacting people’s lives, stressing that combining faith with service to humanity is crucial, not only during Ramadan but also beyond.
He further noted that Ramadan possesses transformative powers that strike a balance between one’s faith and service to humanity, fostering personal growth and positive change. “Ramadan serves as a transformative power which reflects on our faith and our service to humanity Ramadan pushes us to do the goodness in us,” the lecturer said.
Earlier in his welcome address, President, University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA), Dr. Abdulmumin Alao, stated that the 30th Pre-Ramadan Lecture highlighted the immense benefits embedded in the holy month of Ramadan and how Muslims can find the right balance between the demands of their faith, and the rights of their neighbors which sometimes might be in conflict.
The President stated that the annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture is an avenue to enlighten Islamic Faithfuls more on their roles and responsibilities during the month of Ramadan and beyond. “As an association of intellectuals, UMA decided to focus on this specific area of need when we noticed the huge shortage of Muslim manpower in the sector,” he said.
Also, in her address, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Folashade Ogunmola who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics and Research, University of Lagos, Prof. Bola Oboh said the purpose of fasting during Ramadan is not only to be able to reflect and have a closer working relationship with God, but also to be able to bring the Muslim faithful to the spiritual level that will impact even on people’s daily assignments and on the nation as a whole.
According to her, “This is the 30th lecture and we are talking of transformative power. We are hoping that these transformative powers will really reflect in our nation as a whole. Nigeria is at a critical point, whether we like it or not, and I hope we will be able to reflect it in building this nation, Nigeria, into a prosperous nation for everyone, young and old, rich and poor.”
