Saturday, 30th of June, 2012 has come and gone, but its memory will continue to linger on in the minds of members of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Omu-Aran branch in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. The day was when the society turbanned its Chief Imam, Alhaji Salaudeen Abidoye Issa. It also conferred merit awards on thirty-three eminent Nigerians.

The programme, which took place at Omu-Aran city hall, was well attended by traditional and religious leaders as well as members of the society from across the country.

Dignitaries in attendance include, Aare Musulumi of Omu-Aran, Alhaji Yunus Ayoola Abioye, Aare Musuiumi of Illofa, Alhaji Bola Sanusi, the representative of Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Oladele Ibitoye among others.

The awardees are, the Omu-Aran branch chairman of Ansar-Ud-Deen, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Lanre, Adeniyi; Hon. Abdulraheem Olawuyi; the vice chairman of Irepodun Local Government, Hon. Abdulazeez Yakubu; Alhaja Raliat Alarape Owolewa and Alhaji Abdulkareem Kunle Sanni.

Others are Major General Lasisi Yemi Abidoye(rtd); the Chairman, Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission, Hon. Bashir Bola Oni; Alhaja Afusat Bolanle Adeyemo; Alhaji Abdulazeez Oyinloye and late Alhaji Bashir Ayinla Bamigbola.

The rest are, the Special Adviser to the state governor on Emergency Relief Services, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi; Alhaji Hassan Oyinloye; Alhaja Rukayat T. Abidoye, Alhaji Issa Awoso; Alhaji Abdulganiy Ajala Bello and Hon. Lukman Owolewa among others.

Speaking on the occasion, the Northern States Council Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Dr. Muhydeen Ajani Bello, who spoke on leadership in Islam, said a good Muslim leader must lead by example and contented with whatever God has endowed him.

Dr. Bello, who was the guest speaker on the occasion, said a good leader in Islam is also expected to protect his integrity and that of Islam.

According to him, "the role of good leadership in Islam cannot be over-emphasized because many followers emulate and practicalise the deeds of their leaders.

"A good Muslim leader is expected to be worthy in character and saying. He must always preach and propagate the words of Allah and practicalise his preaching with exemplary character and fear of God.

The scholar called on Muslim leaders to fear Allah in their undertakings and shun acts that could drag their image and that of Islam into mud.

"The Imam who will order Muslims should not be the one that will measurate. He measurates if he posseses the habit of lying greediness, fornication and other anti-Godly acts. Anyone that follows Imam that posseses these characters, will not be rewarded because such leader has lost the qualities expected from a good leader in Islam", he added.

The Northern States Council Missioner called on the new chief Imam to discharge his responsibility with utmost fear of Allah.
He also advised him to lead by example and carry members of the society along in the scheme of things which he described as one of the exemplary characters of Prophet Muhammad(SAW).

He urged members of the society to support and cooperate with new Imam in the interest of the society and Islam in general.
In his remark, the Aare Musulumi of Omu-Aran land, Alhaji Yusuf Abioye advised new Chief Imam to sustain his good characters and continue to lead by example.

Alhaji Abioye implore members of the society to support him in the effort to promote the society and Islamic principles.
The chairman of the society, Alhaji Abdulganiy Lanre Adeniyi said the turbanning of the branch Imam was a collective decisions of every member which came at the right time ordained by Almighty Allah.

He said the society which was established over two decades ago has enormous tasks to be accomplished but being constraint by meagre resources.

He appealed to well-to-do Muslims in the society especially the awardees to donate generously to the coffer of the branch, assuring that their donations would be used to realize enormous tasks ahead of the branch.

According to him, "I want to point out that the tasks are enormous, but the means of accomplishment are meagre. We have fought alone in the past and realized that 'to fight alone is to be conquered fast'. Since we detest the consequences of fighting alone, we have singled out the eminent personalities that are here today to give us a helping hand in accomplishing the tasks we have set for ourselves.

"Your efforts in various forms to uplift Muslims and promote Islam are shinning tributes. Record has it that the officers of the branch are highly disciplined and reliable and shalln expend every kobo realized here today on what they are sourced for. May Allah continue to enrich your purse as you donate to promote Islam".

Speaking with The Herald Qiblah, the new Chief Imam, Alhaji Salaudeen Abidoye Issa described his appointment as a will of Almighty Allah.

Imam Issa promised to do his best to move the society and Islam forward through Dawah activities.

He said he cannot do it alone but with the support and cooperation of all members of the society and advised them to support him with good advice, assuring that their advice and suggestions would be welcomed whenever the need arises.

Some of the awardees who spoke with our correspondent described the award as a challenge and promised to sustain the good deeds that earned them the awards.

They pledged to continue to contribute their quota towards the development of Ansar-Ud-Deen in particular and Islam in general.

Culled from The Herald