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Every Ramadan, volunteers take off to the rugged Gwoza mountain to reach out to its communities who still adopt idol worshipping. |
ABUJA — Charity and good deeds are a main feature of Ramadan.
Most Muslims do that by feeding the poor, helping the underprivileged, praying and reciting the Noble Qur'an.
But some Nigerians have their own unique way of coming closer to Allah during the holy fasting month.
They climb rocky mountains to help fellow Muslims in the remotest of areas and introduce Islam to idol worshippers.
"The da`wah journeys to the mountains are often organized during Ramadan," says Nagm-ul-deen Mohamed, one of the participants.
"That's because participants seek to double their reward from Allah."
In Borno, a state in the north-east of the sub-Saharan African country, the Islamic Da`wah group has been organizing mountain da`wah journeys for over three decades.
Every Ramadan, the group's members take off to the rugged Gwoza mountain to reach out to its communities, many of whom still worship idols.
The journey may take them to places as high as 3000 meters above sea level.
They talk to villagers about Islam and its teachings.
In some cases, one person embraces Islam and shortly thereafter his whole family follows.
Nigeria consists of thirty states; with Christians predominate in the coastal south and Muslims in the north.
Muslims make up 55 percent of the 133 million population, Christians 40 and atheists five percent.
Other estimates put the Muslim percentage at 65 of the total populace.
Humanitarian
Along with breaching Islam, the da`wah volunteers also offer humanitarian services.
As they take off to the mountains, they carry with them medicines and much-needed aid to the mountain villagers, who live in primitive conditions isolated from the world.
"We never differentiate between people based on their beliefs," says Dr. Mousa, who accompanies the convoys.
"Our aim is not only to spread Islam, but to help human beings regardless of their faith."
Gushawi, a founder of the mountain da`wah convoys, regrets the lack of financial resources.
He laments that this has brought down the number of such journeys over recent years.
"Muslim volunteers pay for the humanitarian aid from their own pockets," says Dr. Mousa.
"It's very hard to find donors willing to help our cause since our efforts are not publicized."
But despite the adverse conditions, the convoys have achieved many successes in helping the mountain community.
Gwoza new Muslims recently rejoiced having a new grain mill, donated by the da`wah volunteers to help their families make a living.
However, the greatest success is bringing more people to Islam fold.
"Scores of the mountain people accepted Islam thanks to these journeys," says Gushawi.
"For example, the village of Guaa had only three Muslim homes when we started the da`wah convoys. Today, Guaa is home to 300 Muslim families."
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