Okikiola Qasim
The Sultan of Sokoto and the President General Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Muhammad Abubakar, is expected to lead the first official Juma’at prayer at the Nasirullahi-L-Fatih Society Newly built Masjid in Utako, Abuja on Friday, 1st of April 2016. This was confirmed by the PRO of NASFAT Abuja, Ishaq Bayo Adewale Ogefila, the General Manager of Al-Afrikiy Islamic Television Channel, during the compilation of this write up and his contribution to ensure accuracy is recorded in my column on this historical background of the society in Abuja.
April 1st every year is synonymous with April fool, a day notorious for playing pranks on people. Practices include sending someone on a “fool’s errand,” looking for things that don’t exist; people deceiving people; and trying to get people to believe ridiculous practical tomfoolery. It is a day people hardly believe a story.
Contrary to this norm, 1st of April, 2016 is set aside by the Nasirullahi-L-Fatih Society known as NASFAT to celebrate 21st year anniversary of its inception.
The highlight of the historical event would be the official opening of the Abuja NASFAT Mosque; an edifying three-floor structure capable of accommodating of thirty-five worshipers on each floor.
The Mosque, fondly called NASFAT Islamic Centre, is a story of perseverance, dedication, self-denial, unity of purpose, selfless services to Islam, and unanimous decision to build an edifice for Allah. NASFAT Members in Abuja, youths and adults, men and women folks deserve commendation for unalloyed dedication.
Historical documentation has it that the maiden programs of NASFAT in Abuja commenced on 29th October, 2000 at plot 720 Panama Close, off IBB Road, Maitama the residence of the amiable NASFAT Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Dr. Abdulatif Adewale Olasupo with about seven members in attendance.
History has it also that the venue was shifted briefly to the residence of the maiden chairman of Abuja NASFAT, Alhaji Barr Lanre Ipinmisho then to Tofa House premises at the Central Business District and later to the National Mosque in Abuja to accommodate steady growth of members. The NASFAT Abuja was inaugurated on Saturday 27th September, 2001. The event marked the turning moment for the society as Muslims from all tribes troop en mass to embrace the society.
While at the premises of the Abuja National Mosque, the society applied to the Federal Capital Development Authority for a permanent location. On May 2007, the then FCT Minister, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai graciously allocated plot 313 in Utako District to NASFAT Abuja with a size measuring 7,153.02 square meters. The society consequently took physical possession of the place from then till date.
It worth mentioning here that, the decision to move down to NASFAT permanent site was not without pains.
The already completed National Mosque obviously provided the needed comfort and conducive atmosphere. The virgin land in Utako demanded cultivation, clearing and cleansing. One of the untold stories of the NASFAT Mosque Abuja is unanimous decision to operate from permanent site.
Evidence abounds that Abuja harsh weather dealt ruthlessly to the worshippers. Torrential rainfall, scorching sun, cold weather, heavy breeze and thunderous lightening all connived together to maltreat the NASFAT members out of the permanent site in Utako but fear of Allah and Love of Prophet Muhammad according to the Branch Missioner, Imam Sharafudeen Aliagan made the members to be resolute on their decision to build Masjid for Allah.
Knowing full well that plot allocation without physical development could engender revocation; the society engaged best brains in architectural design of what will later turn to NASFAT Islamic Centre in Abuja. The drawings specified the Mosque, Islammiyyah, Offices, Ablution Arena, Generator House and Security Post.
The architectural design was submitted for approval at the Department of Development Control in October, 2007.
Having secured the necessary approval from the Abuja Development Control, construction works on phase I which is the Mosque commenced in 2008. The Mosque stands on three floors, with gross floor area of 4, 272 square metres. The ground floor was designed to accommodate male congregation; first floor for women congregation while the last floor is the auditorium/conference Hall with capacity of 1,500 people.
Another untold story of the NASFAT Mosque in Abuja is that every edifice on the plot was built to specification. Best hands were deployed for the construction, quality materials were used for the work while experienced professionals were engaged to supervise the project.
A Mosque Completion Committee was set up and headed by a former NASFAT Chairman Engr Tosho Y. Alabi. Thus far, one hundred and eighty million Naira (N180,000,000) had been spent.
As people from far and near converge in NASFAT Islamic Centre on the 1st of April, 2016 to commission the multimillion Naira Mosque built to taste; the untold story of oneness of purpose, self-denial, penchant for precision, selfless services to Islam and mutual supports of NASFAT members should be remembered. The FCT Zonal Chairman of NASFAT who is the immediate past Chairman of NASFAT Abuja, Barr S.O.Q Giwa was once asked whom to be commended for the success story of Abuja Mosque, he said; to Allah belong the glory while commendation belongs to every member for their tireless contributions.
Whenever we converge to deliberate on the way forward as regards the mosque completion, perturbed by myriad of challenges and preponderance of projects; the Abuja Main Branch Chairman of NASFAT, Dr Nasir Raji-Mustapha never desist from saying, let’s try, my people please let’s try, let us try and serve Allah through this mosque project.
Now that we have tried and serve Allah through the mosque project; we pray and fervently we are praying, that our modest contributions toward the mosque completion should be counted individually and collectively as acts of Ibadah on the day of reckoning. Congratulations to Muslim World! A new multimillion Naira Masjid is built for Allah through the dint of “sadaqatul jariyya” of Muslims.
In my assessment of the zeal and the objectivities that assisted the leaders and members to attained the level of success in the Masjid project, I discovered that their focus was basically on Islam as a religion based upon knowledge for it is ultimately knowledge of the Oneness of God combined with faith and total commitment to Him that saves man.
And also the text of the Quran that replete with verses inviting man to use his intellect, to ponder, to think and to know, for the goal of human life is to discover the Truth which is none other than worshipping God in His Oneness. Particularly, the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah which literarily is also full of references to the importance of knowledge. Such sayings of the Prophet as “Seek knowledge even in China”, “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave”, and Verily the men of knowledge are the inheritors of the prophets”, have echoed throughout the history of the society in all their activities and contributions which includes inciting the Muslims to seek knowledge and reliance on Allah alone through weekly congregational special prayers.
Islamic civilization has been witness to a veritable celebration of knowledge. That is why every traditional Islamic culture became part and parcel of the aims and objectives since the inception of the Abuja branch.
In my general assessment of the branch over the years, I want to congratulate the society most especially the Abuja branch for their impacts in terms of adequate welfare of Members and contributions towards various societal needs. I also want to score them high on their impactful lectures, both on the Minbar and outdoor preaching.
At this level, NASFAT is one of the leading Islamic society on this fundamental aspect of spiritual impacts in the Abuja city center and other states.
I want to join all the Muslims in Abuja to welcome the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigerian Supreme Council, NSCIA to Abuja for this remarkable and historical events. And also to congratulate the leaders and members of the society on the successful completion of the wonderful edifice. May Allah reward us all abundantly.
