By Pan-African Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK On Sunday the 20th of November 2016 the Pan-African Ahmadiyya Muslim Associati...
By Pan-African Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK
On Sunday the 20th of November 2016 the Pan-African Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (PAAMA) UK held a function to celebrate the centenary anniversary of the inception of Ahmadiyyat in Nigeria.
The function which took place in the Tahir hall of Baitul Futuh, the biggest Mosque in Western Europe and was chaired by Respected President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK, Mr Rafiq Hayat was well attended by African dignitaries, community leaders and representatives of African High Commissions in the UK, many guests and the general membership of the PAAMA across the UK.
The programme commenced with registration of attendees and an exhibition showcasing Ahmadiyya Nigeria’s achievement over the last 100 years, in addition to exhibitions by the Charity organisations Humanity First and the International Association of Ahmadi Architects and Engineers (IAAAE) and the broadcasting organisations Mta Africa and Voice of Islam (VOI).
Before the formal session commenced, Mr Rafiq Hayat met with the dignitaries in the Baitul Futuh VIP lounge and gave them a brief overview of the teachings of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Rafiq personally gave the dignitaries a brief tour of the Baitul Futuh Complex library and exhibition before ushering them into the main hall to view the ‘History of Nigeria’, Humanity First, IAAAE exhibitions and Mta Africa on projects in Africa.
After guests and dignitaries were seated the programme officially commenced with a very melodious and beautiful recitation of the Holy Quran by Mansur Abiola Osota and an English translation by Abdullah Sultan Sadiq.
In his Welcome Address, PAAMA President, Tommy Kallon, expressed his gratefulness to the distinguished guests for gracing the occasion. He also gave a brief overview of the contributions made by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community over the past century in Nigeria and Africa.
A speech on the History of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Nigeria was given by Alhaj Hamzat Olayiwola Adesanu. In his speech he enumerated in detail the various key personalities who played a vital role in the establishment of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Nigeria and highlighted the various events that unfolded during this time to strengthen the establishment of the Community in Nigeria. He also narrated the sequence of events and the missionaries the Community was blessed with at the time and noting the production of the first Muslim newspaper in the country “The Truth” (established in 1951), as one of the milestones of the Community in Nigeria.
Goodwill Message from President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Nigeria
A Goodwill Message from the President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Nigeria was presented by Ahmed Mamman, a new Ahmadi convert of Nigerian provenance. In his message, Respected President relayed that Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Nigeria established its first Muslim schools in the country at a time when Muslims of the country shunned Western education thus confirming that Islam was not opposed to the acquisition of secular education. The Community also established the first clinics and hospitals in the north and west of the country, the President recounted. From humble beginnings at a private residence in 1916, the Community has grown to 500 branches and 700 mosques and is the most respected and followed in the country. He wished all in UK a very successful centenary celebration.
Speeches by Dignitaries
This was followed by addresses by some of the distinguished guests present. In his short speech, Mr Godfrey Kwoba, Counsellor Commercial & Economic Matters, Republic of Uganda High Commission, expressed his delight to join in the celebration of the Ahmadiyya Nigeria Centenary. He noted that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been at the forefront of education in many African countries. He associated himself particularly with the humanitarian endeavours of the Community especially Humanity First Charity which he noted runs more than 20 programs in Uganda and Africa.
The Chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK, Mr Babatunde Loye, expressed his attraction to the slogan: “Love for All, Hatred for None”, the motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He thanked PAAMA for inviting him to the event and expressed his solidarity with PAAMA.
Her Royal Highness, Queen Naa Tsotsoo Soyoo I, a Ghanaian Greater Accra Queen mother based in the UK expressed her gratitude to PAAMA UK for the invitation and the delight in being accorded the privilege to speak at the event. She echoed the call for peace and stated that the event was a platform for the propagation of peace.
Chief Femi Okutubo, Founder and CEO of the Trumpet Media Group, thanked PAAMA for the continued good relationship with him, stating that he had twice attended Jalsa Salana UK, the Community’s National Peace Convention at the behest of PAAMA and expressed his desire to continue to work with PAAMA in all aspects.
Keynote Address
The Keynote Address was given by the President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK, Rafiq Ahmad Hayat Sahib. He mentioned his own roots in East Africa and went on to remind the audience about the emphasis and attention given by the Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, his holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad to the progress of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Africa. He further mentioned that His Holiness is leading the campaign to enable Africa to become self-sufficient.
Mr Hayat reiterated the message by his holiness at the ‘Africa at 50’ events organised by PAAMA couple of years ago: “I truly believe that the time is fast approaching for Africa to lead the world and in order to lead the world it is necessary to bring about revolutionary changes within ourselves. Each citizen and each leader must put aside their own thoughts and interests in order to strengthen, consolidate and serve the national interest.”
Mr Hayat then gave a detailed review of the history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Nigeria, highlighting the various achievements the Community has made in the country through the numerous activities led by pioneer and subsequent missionaries. In conclusion he stated that we should all remember Nigeria in our prayers and as one of the most progressive nations in Africa it has the potential of doing great things in the future.
To conclude the formal session ceremony, Mr Rafiq Hayat led the gathering in silent prayers after which delicious dinner was served to all attendees.
Attendance
Total registered attendance at the event was 370 members including members of the PAAMA National Executive and members from all UK regions of PAAMA.
84 guests were recorded in attendance including the following dignitaries:
1. Mr. Godfrey Kwoba – Counsellor Commercial & Economic Matters, Republic of Uganda High Commission
2. Mr. Bernardino Pacheco – Counsellor General, Republic of Angola High Commission
3. Chief Babatunde Loye – Chairman, Central Association of Nigerians in the UK
4. HRM Queen Naa Tsotsoo Soyoo I
5. HRM Crown Prince Luqman Oladigbolu of Oyo State
6. HRM Princess Ashake Oladigbolu of Oyo State
7. Dr. Alhaj Dauda Awwal – Imam, Darul Salam Islamic Organisation Leeds
8. Dr. Dayo Olomu – Nigerian Community Leader.
9. Chief Omotunde Komolafe – Founder, IROKO & BAOBAB AWARDS
10. Mr. Abbey Paseda – CEO, Focus on Disability Foundation
11. Hon. Alderman Erelu Ayonrinde – Former Mayor of Wandsworth
12. Chief Femi Okutubo – Founder/CEO, Trumpet Media Group
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