From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin
The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has urged Islamic Organisations in the country to promote Islamic values on the basis of justice, equity, and respect of adherents of other religions in the country.
Governor Ahmed made the call at the weekend when members of the Shehu Islamic Foundation ( SAIF) led by its National President, Dr. Abdulkadri Oba-Solagberu paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Ilorin
The governor said Islam is a religion of peace that promotes tolerance, equitable distribution of resources as well as positive attitudes among its adherents.
He observed that the crisis in some Islamic countries especially in some parts of Africa and the Middle East was due to the inability and failure of leaders to adhere to Islamic injunctions on equitable distribution of resources through the application of zakat in the redistribution of excess wealth to the poor and the needy.
“Islam is not a religion of impunity and but a religion of even distribution of wealth and resources”
He commended the Emir of Ilorin , Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari for establishing SAIF with a pledge that he will always support the Foundation both in his official and personal capacities.
The governor, however, counselled members of the Foundation to consult widely in the pursuit of their activities.
The leader of the delegation, Dr Abdulkadri Oba -solagberu said the goals of the Foundation included “rendering support to Muslim Widows, Orphans and Vulnerable Children, provision of scholarship to indigent students in Arabic and Islamic Studies as well as the maintenance of peaceful co-existence among adherents of religions in the state”.
