By Ishaq Dan-Imam, Lokoja
An Islamic charity organization in Nigeria, Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society (AIS) has marked its 11th anniversary in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria.
The Islamic charity group is devoted to raising moral ethical standards among Nigerian Muslims of all creeds.
Al-Habibiyyah works with the Islamic scholars in the state to establish Islamic value re-orientation through educational engagement with the Islamic leaders and followers, aimed at raising the consciousness of the Muslims through its regular leadership pieces of training and mentorship programs.
As part of the activities to mark the anniversary, a special prayer service was held at the Suraj Mosque in Lokoja, where Muslim congregants across the state offered devotional prayers for peace, Nigeria’s economic recovery, Muslim unity, social and political cohesion as they offered fervent prayers for Kogi State and its leadership.
They hymned their love of God and the prophet of Islam (PBUH) as they rendered songs of praise with Islamic hymns amid excitement and gratitude to God for the successes attained in the past eleven years of religious activities.
The Chief host, Imam Ghali Yabagi, stressed the need for the Muslim community in the state to strengthen the bond of unity and Islamic brotherhood among the Islamic scholars and other adherents of the Islamic religion to forge a common front to spread the goodness of Islam as a religion of peace.
Imam Ghali said the group had a series of challenges in its formation but expressed happiness with its success story in the state. Sheikh Ghali describes Al-Habibiyyah prayer meetings in the state as ‘gatherings of spirituality’ that are spiritually beneficial to members and the state just as he enjoined the members to be more committed to the service of God and humanity.
“Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society has a fervent desire to change society, which is why we must continuously go all out to impact on society,” Ghali, said.
The guest speaker, Shaikh Usman Tauheed of Jamaatul Nasril Islam (JNI), who made a presentation on Al-Habibiyyah’s focus, spoke on the power of supplication in the life of faithful servants of God.
He emphasized the need for persistent prayers for God’s intercession in the affairs of man with sincerity of intention for spiritual exaltation.
The group prayed to God to grant a successful pilgrimage to Nigerian Muslim Pilgrims performing this year’s pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and wished them a safe return to Nigeria.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Council of Ulammah, FOMWAN, MURIC, Tijjaniyya Muslim Women Development Association, and other sister Islamic organizations in Kogi State amid commendations for the Imam Ghali-led organization, which celebrates its eleventh year of activities in the state.
