On Monday, October 28, 2024, the respected Amir Sahib of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alh. (Barr) Alatoye Folorunso Abdul Azeez sahib paid a goodwill visit to Sheik Dr. Abbas Zakariyyah in Ibadan, accompanied by a distinguished entourage of national and local leaders of the Jama’at. The entourage included Sadr Majlis Ansarullah, former Amir Professor Mashhud Adenrele Fashola, Naib Sadr Awwal Alhaji M.O. Raheem, Assistant General Secretary Akinreti Nurudeen, Monatan Circuit President Brother Okunlola, Maulvi Waseem Nadeem Ahmad, Maulvi Ojo Shamsudeen, and Ustaz Aliyy Akewugberu, among others.
The purpose of the visit focused on two main objectives. Firstly, Amir Sahib extended a formal invitation to Sheik Dr. Abbas Zakariyyah for the upcoming 70th Jalsa Salana (Platinum Annual Convention) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at. Secondly, the discussion centered around fostering greater unity and respect within the Muslim community, particularly concerning the need to curb the spread of negative discourse on social media among Islamic scholars in the Southwestern region.
During the visit, Amir Sahib emphasized the importance of respecting the diverse belief systems within the Islamic community and urged that efforts be made to harmonize and unify the Muslim Ummah, transcending sectarian divisions to focus on shared faith in God Almighty.
In response, Sheik Dr. Abbas Zakariyyah expressed appreciation for the visit and recognized the longstanding relationship and gestures of goodwill extended to him by the Ahmadiyya Community. He acknowledged that he too had faced personal attacks on social media and noted that the issue of online abuse among Islamic scholars has become a concerning trend, especially in the Southwestern region. However, he was encouraged by the progress made through the efforts of an ad-hoc committee led by Alhaji Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello, aimed at censoring divisive online preaching, and promoting unity.
Sheik Dr. Abbas warmly accepted the invitation to attend the Jalsa Salana, highlighting that he has consistently supported and participated in Ahmadiyya Community activities. He further conveyed his gratitude for the continuous goodwill shown by the former Amir and the Ahmadiyya leadership, remarking on the value of their relationship. As a gesture of appreciation, he was presented with literature from the Jama’at to reinforce the bond of friendship and shared understanding.
The visit marked an uplifting and constructive step toward fostering unity, mutual respect, and peaceful dialogue within the Muslim community in Nigeria, with Sheik Dr. Abbas Zakariyyah affirming his commitment to these principles.
