Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has enjoined Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to foster a culture of peace and harmony with all individuals to promote unity and understanding in the country.
The Deputy Governor, who was the Chairman at the 16th edition of Late Alhaji Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu Annual Memorial Ramadan Lecture, held at the Blue Roof, LTV, Ikeja, today, said such call becomes imperative in the face of the current situation in Nigeria.
According to Hamzat, the call for peace highlights the urgent necessity for Nigerians from all walks of life, regardless of their ethnicity, cultural, or religious differences, to unite and work together towards a harmonious and peaceful society.
He noted that Islam, being a religion that promotes peace, compassion, tolerance, and cooperation at all levels, it is important that Muslims continue to live in peace for the well-being of their country.
“We all know that Islam is a religion which promotes peace. So apart from fighting every ill that seeks to prevent us from serving Allah, we are enjoined as Muslims to actively seek peace. We must seek peace with our neighbors, in our families, everywhere we find ourselves,” said the Deputy Governor.
Speaking further, Hamzat stated that Islam is not a religion of violence or fight, it is a religion of peace, tolerance, and care. He therefore urged clerics to speak out and condemn in totality the acts of violence, noting that “Some people, ignorantly, associate all these acts of violence with Islam. So let us restate that everything that we are doing in Islam is about peace.”
He said that the most challenging and disturbing development in today’s society is the moral issue that is besetting the people, noting that as Muslims it is important to deal with the menace.
The Deputy Governor while Commending the family of Late Alhaji Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu, Radio Lagos, Lagos State Television (LTV), and Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu Foundation for their commitment to the annual event of propagating Islam and providing faithfuls with the opportunity to engage on issues of faith, underscored that such events are relevant to Muslims and it’s important for the well-being of the country.
Proprietor, Islamic Research Training Institute (IRTI) Imam AbdulFatai AbdulMojeed, in his lecture titled “Tax Reforms, Social Responsibilities and Importance of Zakat” stated that Tax and Zakat are different, noting that Tax is paid to the government while Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam.
The Lecturer said that it is essential for Nigerians particularly, Muslims to pay taxes to the government for the development and growth of the community, adding that there the tax reform of the president will aid continuous growth in the country.
According to him, “Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam. It is important for Muslims to do it in truth and just. While tax is money that is paid to the government for the development and growth of our society which doesn’t exempt anyone.”
In his lecture tagged “Managing Public Trust: Changing Values in our Sociology- Economic Reality and Global Trends” delivered by Lagos State University of Education, Ijanikin, Dr. Munirudeen Salaudeen Ariyyadiy talked about the perspective of Islam on the way public funds are being managed.
According to him, “Managing Public Purse is perceived as a big task, there are three things that must be well managed which are people who put others in position, people selected in positions and how do we manage earthly treasures.”
He stressed that people chosen to manage public treasures should possess the following qualities, reliable background, relevant experience to manage such properties, and personal attributes. Ariyyadiy noted that people chosen to manage the public purse should be well taken care of, and monitored and must not see it as an opportunity to make wealth.
