Abdu Labaran Malumfashi
9 July 2007
opinion
The depth of the adversity, the might, methods and multiplicity of the adversary and the seriousness of the schisms confronting them today, presuppose that Islam and Muslims are in such dire straits that an all out search for a way out is the only way out as the ferocity of the opposition's onslaught leaves little, if any, room for complacency.
It's therefore a welcome development that the hierarchy of Tijaniya Order, in collaboration with the Moroccan government, organized a four-day forum for the global followers and affiliates of the Order in Fez, Morocco, from 27-30 June, 2007 to brainstorm for a solution to the myriad of problems that daily challenge Islam and Muslims within and without.
It was a gathering that attracted over 1,600 Islamic intellectuals, scholars and others from 41 countries across the world. From the palpable undercurrent that characterised the opening of the conference at the five-star Jnan Palace Hotel, Fez, to the camaraderie that marked its end, it was evident that the forum was very much needed and more of same or such like will also not be out of place.
To be sure, Morocco 2007 was not the first effort of the global followers and affiliates of the Tijania Order to come together in an international conference for its common good and that of the entire Muslim Ummah and Islam in general. The first, but at a far less scale, took place 25 years ago in the same country.
Expectedly, the themes of the forum were religious reawakening, unity among Muslims, peace and peaceful coexistence among Muslims and between non Muslims and abhorrence to terrorism as well as the way forward for both faith and adherents. Openning remarks, welcome address, the numerous papers presented, goodwill remarks and the eventual communiqué dwelt mostly on these themes.
In his opening message, the King of Morocco, His Majesty Mohamed V1, represented by the Minister of Endowment and Islamic Affairs, Dr. Taufiq, noted that conference had come at a time "when spiritual values are faltering, and religious certainties are shaken by the overwhelming power of unbridled and the irresistible force of cheap temptations". He said the timing of the event was also appropriate as forces opposed to Islam are increasingly becoming more hostile and daring by the day stressing that only the coming together of Muslims in unity can be a sure guarantee for overcoming the adversity in whatever form and from wherever it may be coming.
The monarch assured that the Kingdom of Morocco would continue to extend its support and care in the cause of Islamic solidarity noting that it is a duty "we feel we must shoulder and fulfill in all truthfulness and dedication". He added that in pursuing that goal, Morocco would strive to strengthen, even further, the historical ties uniting it with sister nations, particularly in Africa.
"We are endeavoring, at the same time, to bring Muslims, whether from the Machreq or the Maghreb, closer together, and to bolster their unity and cohesiveness. However, there is no way we can achieve these targets, unless we turn Islamic values and ideals into tangible reality, mainly through productive labour, continuing cooperation and true fraternity.
Ultimately we want Muslims, indeed all humans, wherever they may be, men and women alike to be able to lead a decent, dignified life which befits any human being. This is a multi-faceted target Morocco is trying to achieve together with our brethren from all other Islamic countries. We are therefore eager to work jointly with our neighbours, the Maghrebian brothers and sisters, with whom we seek to achieve complementarily, and unity, and bolster solidarity and fraternity".
King Mohamed V1 further said that it was all the more duty-bound for Morroco to care for and support moral and spiritual development, especially at a time when "it is more important for us to heal and our souls, than to look after our bodies in a frenzied attempt to keep them fit and sound. This the golden rule for building a cohesive, healthy, solidarity-based society. It is a fundamental prerequisite for the emergence of a Muslim Ummah which was ordained by God, as a moderate community guided by the eternal light of Islam."
Leader of the Nigerian delegation, the eminent Maiduguri based Islamic cleric, Shiekh Alhussaini Jafar Ibrahim Saleh, who was accorded the privilege of delivering the welcome address, commended the timeliness of the conference and called on the world Muslim community to come together as one united people to face their common challenges with one voice. He said as a religion of peace, Islam did not condone any acts that are in conflict with its precepts stressing that the way forward for Muslims is to lead their lives as ordained by God and shun all acts that cast Islam and Muslims in bad light.
Shiekh Ibrahim Saleh observed that the followers of Tijaniya Order were peaceful people who are "not after office, wealth or any worldly desire" but the glorification of Allah and the promotion, propagation and protection of Islam and the legitimate interests of fellow members of the Order and Muslims in general.
Most of the papers presented by world renown Islamic scholars and intellectuals also harped on these themes, among others. Such papers include, "The personality of Shiekh Sidi Ahmed Tijani (may Allah be pleased with him)"variously presented by six people including Nigeria's Shiekh Ibrahim Saleh, Sudan's Dr. Abdel-kader Abou Aakri and Shiekh Mohammed El-Eid Tamassini of Algeria, "The role of Tijjani Order in spreading the culture of peace" presented by Shiekh Ibrahim Mahmoud Job from Senegal, "The bounds and bridges between African countries stemming from Morocco" presented by Nigeria's Shiekh Usman Dahir Bauchi , "The Tijani Order: Characteristics and specificities" variously presented by the trio of Shiekh Abdelaziz Si of Senegal, Shiekh Zine El Abidine of Sudan and Shiekh Hassan Cisse of Senegal (niece of Shiekh Ibrahim Nyass) and "The socio-economic role of the Tijania Order in Africa" presented by Shiekh Sidi Mohammed Tijani of Morocco.
Similarly, goodwill messages delivered by select delegation leaders, in addition to the themes, paid glowing tribute to King Mohamed V1 Of Morocco for hosting the conference. One of such speakers was the leader of the American delegation, a white lady, Mrs Ashki H. Taha-Cisse, who also paid superlative tribute to Shiekh Hassan Cisse whom she credits with the "tremendous" headway made by Islam in the USA.
Although she had embraced Islam ten years before she first met Shiekh Hassan Cisse, his impact on her life vis-à-vis Islam was so profound that she feels eternally grateful and indebted to him to the extent that she adopted him as her father,she emotionally disclosed.
Even the Nigerian Ambassador to Morroco, Ambassador Abubakar Shehu Wurno, who graced the opening ceremony, commended the Moroccan monarch for organizing and hosting the forum saying that the Muslim Ummah need to come together to speak with one voice and confront their challenges in unison.
The consensus of most participants is that the conference was very timely.
The observations and recommendations of the 15-point communiqué include; commendation to the Moroccan government for organizing and hosting the forum; the need to circulate the King's opening address among Muslim Ummah;that the forum provided a golden opportunity to Muslims to promote religious brotherhood, love and understanding; that forum was also an opportunity for participants to know one another and discuss the way forward; that more efforts be made toward strengthening the unity of Tijani followers all over the world "as the unity of Tijani followers gives added strength to the Muslim community at large"; that the Tijani followers should always maintain an open door policy in their day to day activities to all Muslims; that followers of the Tijania Order be mindful of the travails and adversities of their fellow Muslim brothers and sisters elsewhere; the need to have a dedicated web site, a Radio station and a Satellite TV station; the need to hold such forum bi-annually.
In addition to host country Morocco and Nigeria, other countries represented (in alphabetical order) include; Algeria, Benin, Burkina Farso, Cameroun, Chad, Denmark, Egypt, Ethopia, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy and Ivory Cost. Others are; Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mau-ritania, Namibia, Niger Republic,Oman, Pakistan,Pal-estine, Russia and Ruwanda. The rest are; Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States and Yemen.
The 287-strong Nigerian delegation from 18 states and the FCT was made up of 68 from Borno, 50 from the FCT, 34 from Kano, 18 from Yobe,15 from Kaduna,13 each from Adamawa and Niger, 11 each from Sokoto and Taraba, 10 each from Bauchi and Lagos, 9 from Zamfara, 6 from Katsina, 4 from Kwara, 3 each from Kebbi, Oyo and Plateau and 2 from Kogi.
Some of the other notable members of the Nigerian delegation are; Khalifa Ali Ahmad Abul-Fathi, Khalifa Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe Gusau,Abubakar Muham-mad Tuhami, Shiekh Muhammad Nasir Adam, Shiekh Abubakar El-Miskin, father of (and) Professor Tijjani El-Miskin, the immediate past Niger State governor, Engineer Abdulkadir A. Kure, Dr. Abubakar Isa, Munir Jafar, Abdullahi Mu'azu , Shiekh Salisu Alao and Sherif Suleiman Abdulqadir.
World renown Tijania Order followers who attended the conference from other African countries include; Shiekh Tijani Niass and his (elder) sister, Sayyida Maryam Ibrahim Niass (children of the late preeminent Islamic scholar and Tijania Order follower, Shiekh Ibrahim Niass of Senegal), Haruna Shiekh Abdul Wadudu from Ghana, Mouhamed Abboulaye from Togo, Mouhammadu Yaro Aboubakar from Benin and Shariff Mamina Hydara from The Gambia.
For the Nigerian delegation and other compatriots who attended the event, Morocco Tijania 2007 Forum was very much a celebration of Nigeria's place in the Islamic world as leaders of the delegation, notably Shiekhs Alhussaini Jafar Ibrahim Saleh and Usman Tahir Bauchi,were accorded special royal treatment with magnificent hotel suits, seven body guards from the royal security detachment and a fleet of limousines from the royal fleet assigned to them. Just as significantly, after King Mohamed V1's opening remarks, Shiekh Alhussaini Jafar Ibrahim Saleh was requested to deliver the welcome address soon after which the conference was adjourned for day two.
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