Taoreed Abdullahi
The Islamic groups and societies have been advised to reflect on their actions and collaborate as a strong community to promote Islam, encouraging people to seek knowledge to assume leadership roles in all areas of life.
The Chief Missioner of the Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society, NASFAT, Imam AbdulAzeez Onike, gave the charge at a special Jumat prayer held at the Lagos State Secretariat Central Mosque in Alausa, Ikeja, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of NASFAT.
The cleric said that various challenges were faced by Muslim individuals, pointing out that the best of Mankind is Muslims who adhere strictly to the teachings of Prophet Mohammed.
Imam Onike emphasized that the purpose of celebrating NASFAT’s 30th anniversary was to express gratitude to God for the organization’s journey and to chart a new course for the future, remarking that the past thirty years have been rewarding, interesting, and fruitful.
He noted that NASFAT has evolved from a modest prayer group into a global organization, boasting over three hundred and sixty locations, twenty-eight primary schools, eight secondary schools, five hospitals, and Fountain University as its crown jewel.
Imam Onike affirmed that as a leading Islamic organization, NASFAT will continue to educate Muslims for their spiritual upliftment and the welfare of mankind, fostering a vibrant and supportive Islamic community where Muslims contribute positively to society through the principles of Islam.
“We thank Almighty Allah for what He has done in the lives of NASFAT, it’s a society that started in the sitting room of one of the ten founders and their family members, it has grown to branches and locations in over three hundred and sixty locations across the globe. It’s a lot of achievements. We are doing this to praise Allah and appreciate Almighty God quoting that whoever in the habit of showing appreciation to God would not be punished.
Imam Onike said “the Jumat prayer was to thank Allah for doing well in the life of NASFAT and to solicit for more.
In commemorating our thirty years anniversary, I was given the honour to lead the congregation at service of Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque, we thank the leadership of the mosque for the opportunity. In the thirty years of existence, NASFAT has established ten agencies from education to tours and travel agency to an investment agency TAFSAN, social and welfare agency, zakat and Sadaqat agency, health agency who caters for health needs of members and a media outfit, Imam Onike emphasized.
The Chairman of the 30th Anniversary Committee, Alhaji Ishaq Kayode Osinuga, reflected on NASFAT’s transformation into a platform for leadership development, sustainable empowerment, and dawah initiatives.
He said that NASFAT has introduced various programmes which prioritised youth empowerment through skill acquisition programmes.
He recognized the unity among various Islamic groups promoting the beauty of Islam, urged other Islamic groups to elevate the teachings of Prophet Mohammed, and advocated for the education of young individuals.
The commemoration included special prayers for the society and the nation as a whole after the two-rakat compulsory jumat prayer which was well attended by NASFAT members from branches in Lagos State.
National Women Affairs Secretary Alhaja Ganiyat Omowunmi Babalola praised women for their milestones, highlighting that NASFAT has made significant progress over its 30 years of existence, which marks a tremendous success.
Alhaja Babalola noted that both women and every member of society have positive stories about how NASFAT has transformed their lives, saying the introduction of Asalatu has strengthened the connection of women with God.
She emphasized that women comprise seventy per cent of NASFAT’s membership, while men make up thirty per cent, underscoring the considerable empowerment NASFAT has provided for women.
Alhaja Babalola said, “the organization was established to enable individuals to seek Allah’s guidance and forgiveness from the comfort of their own homes, saying the women of NASFAT have successfully initiated numerous projects to support their community.
In Asese, NASFAT has established a centre dedicated to empowerment and skill acquisition, along with a hostel to accommodate participants during training session. Additionally, NASFAT women recently spearheaded the launch of a thirty-bed hospital at Fountain University Oshogbo.