Ahmadu Baba Idris, Birnin Kebbi
Religious leaders should engage in profitable ventures to become self-sufficient instead of relying on politicians for livelihood.
This was a call by the National Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society and Executive Director of the Just Foundation, Imam Fuad A. Adeyemi on Saturday at a one-day capacity strengthening for Imam and Scholars held at Safar Guests Inn Birnin Kebbi
He said that religious leaders should be encouraged to establish businesses for them to discharge their religious responsibilities diligently.
the Chief Imam said if knowledge of the training is put to use would go a long way in giving religious leaders freedom to promote unity and good governance, thereby leading to a decent society; “they should not be a rubber stamp to the politicians,” he emphasized.
Imam Ademyemi further explained that the aim of the training is to ensure that there is sanity in the religious practices and for scholars to also maintain their integrity before and after the electioneering period.
Adeyemi added that the program was sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with the Al-Habibiyah Islamic Society with the aim of streamlining how the religious leader will be self-employed to restore peace in the society.
He expressed dismay over the high rate of corruption in the country which is attributed to religious leaders who usually rely on the politicians to feed them.
“We are not following the blueprint of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and other followers who were also engaged in businesses and preaching well in the society.
“We should not tolerate any embarrassment from the politicians, let us work for the masses and not allowed politicians to use religion and ethnicity in achieving their goals.”
Two participants at the workshop, Mai Nasara Mai Ahi and Hadiza Mohammed Ahmed thanked the organizers of the program and assured them that what they learned will be put into practice.
