NASFAT Youth Commemorates International Youth Day With Symposia....As Group Held Special Prayers For Youths And Nigeria

The Youth Wing of the renowned Islamic group, Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), at the weekend held symposia and special prayer sessions in different branches/Zones of the society across the country as part of activities to commemorate this year’s International Youth Day which is marked every 12th of August. The 2015 Youth Day’s theme, according to the UN, is “Youth Civic Engagement”. The NASFAT Youth symposia which were held simultaneously in all zones and branches of the society witnessed the presence of different speakers and scholars discussing this theme.

At the FCT Zone, the symposium was held at the NASFAT Islamic Centre, Utako District Abuja – moderated by Barr S.O.Q Giwa (the Zonal Chairman, NASFAT FCT Zone) - where Mr. Nurudeen Aderinto, an IT guru with Galaxy backbone Ltd, who was the lead speaker, charged the youths on the need to be actively involved in politics and governance while not compromising uprightness.

He also exhorted them to be well educated with all-inclusive education as well as equip themselves with sound knowledge of Information Technology due to the array of opportunities it provides globally. Also speaking at the event was Alhaja Nofisat Arogundade, the immediate past NASFAT Women Leader, who charged the youths, especially the females, on the need for them to be more involved in civic duties and always speak out and rise up to challenges.

In Lagos state, the event was held at different branch level across Lagos Zones 1 and 2. At Ipaja branch of NASFAT Lagos Zone 2, the Youth National Head of Dawah - Ustaz Ismail Ibrahim - who was the guest speaker, admonished the youths to be pragmatic in their civic engagement’s expectations quoting a verse from the Quran: “God does not change the condition of a people until they change themselves” (Q13:11) with other relevant Quranic texts to drive home his points.

The cleric also challenged the youths to embrace the principles of sound knowledge acquisition, respect for justice, integrity, God consciousness, community involvement and volunteerism, participation in incorruptible and credible governance, shunning violence as well as sound moral conducts as their instruments for positive and impactful civic engagement.

The story was not different in Kwara, Ogun, Osun, Aba, South-East, Northern Zones as well as in every other Zone/branch of NASFAT.

In the same vein, the Youth Wing at the NASFAT Headquarters Alausa collaborated with the Women wing of the society to hold the programme in an elaborate way as the day coincides with the start of the NASFAT annual Women Week celebration. A Senior Lecturer at the Lagos State University, Dr. Nosirudeen Onibon was the lead discussant of the Youth’s theme.

Dr. Onibon, in his presentation advised youth generally on the need to harness their abundant energy for positive civic impact. In his words: “Youths participation was pivotal to the development of Islam in the early days as most people who aided Prophet Muhammad (SAW) were youths. He himself was also a youth activist who was not only involved in civic duties but also spearheaded a group known as Hilful-Fudool whose sole aim is to protect the weak and speak for the cheated in every part of Makkah.” “The onus is thud on the youth of today to emulate this impeccable character laid down by our noble prophet (SAW) and the early Muslims,” he added.

The Youth members thereafter - led by the National Youth Secretary (Amir), Mr. Fatai Olayemi as well as some other Youth National Officers - proceeded to the Pen cinema motor Park in Agege where they held a campaign against alcohol consumption for drivers.

Mr. Olayemi, while addressing the drivers and some of the Motor Park leaders, advised them to shun the habit of drunk-driving as not only is it totally condemned and prohibited in Islam but also portends great danger to not only the drivers themselves but the society at large. He also urged them to always consider what would be the plight and the fate of their loved ones in the event of ghastly accidents which may occur as a result of drunk-driving.

Highlights of the programme at the various venues were special prayer sessions held to pray for all Nigerian Youths and Youths globally as well as for peace, prosperity and harmony in Nigeria, especially the troubled parts of some Northern states of the country.

Ibrahim Ismail Abiodun
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