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Islamic NGO Set Up In Nigeria For Promoting Islam
By Sulaiman Osho, IOL Correspondent in Nigeria
ABEOKUTA, Nigeria, Jan. 26 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The Islamic Movement for Africa (IMA), a non-political, non-governmental and non-profit Islamic organization has been established in Nigeria for the promotion of Islam in Africa through learning, education, research, training and da'wah activities.
Speaking to IOL, the President and Founder of IMA and Nigeria's High Commissioner to United Kingdom, Prince Abdul-Jabbar Bola Ajibola stated that the establishment of such an organization was long overdue for the renaissance of Islam in Africa.
He contended that while Islam was being embraced in thousands daily in Europe and America, the reverse was the case in Africa due to the lack of efforts in promoting Islam, the Religion of Peace.
Prince Ajibola who is a Judge at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague, Netherlands, stated that IMA had established Islamic Research Center for Africa (IRCA) on a ten hectares of land at Abeokuta, Nigeria to serve as the institutional base for the promotion of Islam in Africa.
Noting that the philosophy of IMA was to promote Islam with excellence through knowledge and peaceful means, he disclosed that the first phase of the research center was formally commissioned last June. This phase includes an Islamic library, audio-visual center, multi-purpose hall, guest chalet, Imam/Curator's lodge, open lawn for Islamic film shows and Children play ground.
He added that the second phase had been formally launched where individuals,
organizations and governments are donating for the construction of the mosque, hospital, nursery/primary and secondary schools, radio and television stations, printing press, Halaal restaurant, supermarket for the poor, computer center, and IMA secretariat.
The Muslim leader stated that Islam was unique as a religion because it was based on "pure monotheism" and that it instructed man to command what was good and forbid what was evil.
Meanwhile, three Egyptian scholars are visiting IMA Research center, Abeokuta, Nigeria on a one-week mission to collaborate on the renaissance of Islam project in Africa.
The scholars are the Secretary-General of El-Azhar Islamic Research Academy, Sheikh As-Sayed Wafaa Abu-A'ajur; the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Cairo University, Professor Abdul-Satar Abdul-Haq El-Halwagy, and the Head of Egyptian National Library and Archives, Professor Mohammed Galaal Ghandour.
Prince Ajibola added that the trip from January 31 will allow the scholars to be part of the signing of the contract award of the IMA Mosque costing 50 Million naira ($500,000) between the organization and the Dukeland Construction company, Lagos.
He added that Professor El-Halwagy who is also the recipient of the King Faisal International Award on Islamic Studies in 1998 will deliver the International lecture series of IMA titled, "Islamic Heritage: A Veritable Tool For World Harmony" on February 2, 2001 at the Multi-purpose hall of the research center in Nigeria.
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