The Ummah Movement held its 25th National Ummah Convention, at the Modibbo Yusufa Pantami Foundation, New GRA, Gombe, on Sunday, 12th June, 2022 with a charge to Muslims to work and pray for the emergence of credible, capable and just leaders in 2023.
“Muslim citizens are urged to troop out en-masse and register to get their PVC so as to choose “credible, capable and just leaders who they believe would protect their interests in whatever party they belong” during the forthcoming 2023 national elections. The convention asked all Muslims to pray for the emergence of just leaders at all levels of governance,” the Muslim group said in a press statement issued at the end of the convention and made available to The Shield Online
The Ummah Movement equally urged that “Muslim Communities should participate in efforts for the improvement of the Tsangaya schools and their transformation into integrated models that offer full Islamic education and skills based vocational education as in mainstream schools.”
Read the full statement below:
25th National Ummah Convention Calls for:Violence-Free Polls in 2023 as well as Provision of Full Functional Education to Pupils of the Traditional Islamic Education System, same as Pupils in the National Education System through Integration of the Two Systems
The Ummah Movement successfully conducted its 25th National Ummah Convention, at the Modibbo Yusufa Pantami Foundation, New GRA, Gombe, on 12th Dhul-Qadah, 1443 (12th June, 2022). The theme was The Almajiri Phenomenon: Challenges and Solutions in Nation Building. The opening session was held at Custodian Hotel, Gombe. The Royal Father of the Day was the Mai Tangale, Malam Danladi Sunusi Maiyamba and the Special Guest of Honour, Governor of Gombe State, HE Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Dan Majen Gombe), was represented by his Adviser on Community Relations & Ethical Orientation, Dr. Auwal Abdullahi. The Convention was addressed by Chairman of the Majlis, Malam Ahmad Bello; National Amir, Prof. Muhammad Babangida; and the Guest Speaker, Dr. Ibrahim Sulaiman, former Vice-Chancellor AlQalam University, Katsina and now lecturer at Kebbi State University. Three presentations were made in support of the topic by: Prof. Bashir Galadanci, former Adviser to Kano State Governor on Tsangaya Education; Sheikh Ahmad Umar Kanoma and Mal. Muhamamd Usman Modibbo.
OBSERVATIONS
The convention made the following observations:
1. The present Almajiri system of education does not satisfy three critical demands: the spiritual aspiration of parents for their children; en-skilling children for a prosperous future adult life; and providing educated citizens to serve the nation’s developmental needs.
2. The failure of traditional Muslim scholars to adapt appropriately to socio-economic forces, parental neglect and exclusion of pupils of the traditional Muslim schools from government educational policy combined to sustain the mismatch between the traditional Muslim and Western systems of education, thus excluding millions of children from an all-round education.
3. Poor funding, lack of recognition of the Tsangaya system by the government, wretched welfare and zero job opportunities for its products combined to undermine the Tsangaya system of education.
4. The Muslim Ummah Movement has a balanced understanding of Islam based on the original sources and the earliest generations; it emphasises inclusiveness, partnership and collaboration in working with other Muslims and fellow national stakeholders.
5. The trend of ethnic profiling, hate speeches and instigation to violence against sections of Muslims and blasphemy against the Noble Messenger of Allah (SAW) is viewed with serious concern.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The convention made the following recommendations:
1. Governments should fast track the integration of the religious education and mainstream national system of education, to meet the three societal needs mentioned above.
2. Muslim Communities should participate in efforts for the improvement of the Tsangaya schools and their transformation into integrated models that offer full Islamic education and skills based vocational education as in mainstream schools.
3. The Governors of the 19 Northern States should revisit and learn from the Tsangaya reform policy of former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano Sate to reduce the almajiri problem to insignificance.
4. Governments official at all levels should avoid corruption and must consider public funds as “sacred” trust, to be used in meeting public needs, such as education.
5. Education is a right of every child and an obligation on governments at all levels.
6. Suitable mechanisms should be put in place by appropriate levels of government, to support the destitute in society while banning all forms of street begging, by removing all beggars from the streets.
7. Ulama and leaders of Islamic organisations are called upon to instil in the youth mutual respect, tolerance and collaboration and to resist provocation by those that insult Islam and its symbols.
8. All stakeholders are to ensure a violence free polls, “no one should be instigated to violence and no one should resort to violence”.
9. Muslim citizens are urged to troop out en-masse and register to get their PVC so as to choose “credible, capable and just leaders who they believe would protect their interests in whatever party they belong” during the forthcoming 2023 national elections. The convention asked all Muslims to pray for the emergence of just leaders at all levels of governance.
10. The government is urged to take all necessary measures in order to prevent the trend of ethnic profiling, hate speeches and instigation to violence against sections of Muslims and blasphemy from escalating to uncontrollable magnitude.
11. Islamic organisations and Ulama should design a programme of Islamic education and leadership training for the youth to help in arresting the observed drift in discipline among uneducated and unemployed youth.
12. Ummah Movement members are urged to adopt a more pro-active approach to participation in national politics and provision of quality national political leadership.
13. The LOC Gombe Branch of Ummah were commended for successfully hosting the Convention. Participants commended the government and people of Gombe State for their warm hospitality.
Prof. Muhammad Babangida Prof. Siraj Abdulkarim
National Amir, NIC. National Convention Committee, NCC.
0803 580 5146 ; abunazir73@yahoo.com sbarau58@gmail.com 0803 314 0357