By Yunus Olawale
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has held a national prayer at the National Mosque, Abuja, seeking divine intervention for Nigeria’s peace, security, economic prosperity and political leadership ahead of the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1.
The prayer session brought together Islamic scholars, chief imams, traditional leaders and representatives of Muslim communities from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, who offered fervent prayers for the nation and its citizens.
Speaking after the prayer, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Secretary-General of the NSCIA, said the gathering was not a political event but a religious and national responsibility to pray for Nigeria and its leadership.
According to him, the National Mosque had provided a platform for Muslims across political divides to unite in prayer for the country.
“It’s a national mosque. We have prayed for our nation. We have prayed for everybody,” Oloyede said.
He stressed that the presence of people associated with different political parties did not make the event political, noting that Muslims were represented across the country’s political spectrum.
“What we are doing is that we are praying for our country, we are praying for our leaders, and we are praying that all those who will be participating even in the political activities have the fear of Allah and the commitment to this great nation in mind,” he said.
Oloyede described praying for Nigeria as both a civic and religious responsibility, arguing that citizens should desire divine guidance for the country irrespective of their political affiliations.
“Anybody who does not want to pray for his or her country, that person is doing a wrong thing,” he said. “Every committed Muslim must be able to pray that God guides and leads my country aright. It is a duty because we are Muslims, but we are also indigenous, nationals; we are members of this country, we are citizens of this country.”
*Oloyede
NSCIA: Prayer is for Peace, Stability and National Renewal
Also speaking, Imam Harun Mohammed Eze, one of the Imams of the National Mosque and Deputy National Legal Adviser of the NSCIA, explained that the national prayer was organised under the leadership of the President-General of the NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, as part of activities preceding the Independence Anniversary.
Eze said the initiative was designed to commit Nigeria and its affairs to Allah while seeking divine intervention in the numerous challenges confronting the country.
He listed insecurity, poverty, hunger and other socioeconomic difficulties among the issues for which the Islamic leaders sought divine intervention.
According to him, the prayers were aimed at seeking peace, stability and development for Nigeria. “We are praying that Allah should come in and take control and bring back peace, bring back stability, bring development to our nation,” he said.
The cleric also said prayers were offered for the nation’s political leadership, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the National Assembly, the judiciary and other political leaders.
He said the Muslim leadership prayed for sincerity, commitment and divine guidance for those entrusted with public responsibilities.
“We are asking Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala to put a touch of sincerity in their hearts, a touch of commitment in their hearts, to guide them and bind them to do what is right for this country, so that the nation would come out of the difficulties that we are all experiencing, to abundance, peace and the enjoyment that the nation ought to be witnessing,” Eze said.
He further prayed for divine protection and guidance for Nigeria’s leaders, urging Allah to correct them whenever they err and strengthen their commitment to policies and actions capable of moving the country forward.
Islamic Scholars From Six Geopolitical Zones Unite
Eze disclosed that the gathering attracted Islamic scholars and religious leaders from the six geopolitical zones, describing the convergence as a demonstration of Muslim unity and a collective commitment to Nigeria.
He said traditional and religious leaders from different parts of the country were represented at the National Mosque.
“We have traditional leaders from the South, from the North, from all geopolitical zones in this area,” he said. “We have scholars, Imams from all the geopolitical zones in the country. We have Imams from the Southeast, we have from the South-South, we have from the Southwest, we have from all the zones in the North, converging here to say that we are united in asking God Almighty to intervene in our issues and affairs.”
Cleric Urges Nigerians to Prioritise Education, Peace and Economic Prosperity
In a short admonition, Prof. Imam Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, one of the Imams of the National Mosque, urged Nigerians to remain committed to issues critical to the nation’s development, including education, peace, security, economic prosperity and the wellbeing of families and communities.
He emphasised the centrality of the Qur’an to Islamic life and commended the decision of the Muslim leadership to organise a national Qur’anic recitation and prayer for Nigeria.
He said the initiative was particularly significant because of the challenges confronting the country, stressing the importance of seeking divine intervention while also encouraging citizens to contribute positively within their capacities.
Prominent Islamic Leaders Participate
The prayer session attracted prominent Islamic scholars and religious leaders from different parts of the country.
Among those represented were the Chief Imam of Offa in Kwara State, the Mufti of Ilorin, the Sarkin Malami of Sokoto State, the Chief Imam of Delta State, the Chief Imam of Imo State, the President of the League of Imams and Alfas of South-West Nigeria, the Chief Imam of Borno State, the Wakili Musulumi of Yorubaland and other prominent Islamic scholars.
The gathering underscored a common appeal for divine intervention in Nigeria’s affairs, with prayers focusing on peace, security, good governance, economic prosperity, national unity and the wellbeing of citizens.
As Nigeria prepares to mark its Independence Anniversary on October 1, the NSCIA said the national prayer was an opportunity for Muslims to recommit the country and its leadership to Allah while seeking guidance and intervention in addressing the challenges facing the nation.
The prayer also comes ahead of the NSCIA’s General Assembly, which is scheduled to commence after the Independence Day activities.
