Speeches

8th Merit Award Ceremony Of Ansar-Ur-Deen Society Of Nigeria

Jul 19, 2009 - I greet you all in the name of Allah, the most merciful, creator of the universe, and givers of life, who in His infinite love and mercies spares our lives to witness this day. I congratulate the National Missioner and Chief Imam of Ansar-ur-Deen Society in Nigeria, Sheykh Abdul-Rahman Olanrewaju Ahmed, the executive members and the entire membership of Ansar-ur-Deen, Lagos State chapter, organizers of this 8th Merit Award ceremony on the success of this occasion.

Today’s event offers us yet another opportunity to commune as Muslim brothers and sisters, reflect on our individual and collective worship and responsibilities to Almighty Allah, our daily devotions, conduct and interaction with fellow Muslims and non-Muslim members of the society.

Islam is instituted by Almighty Allah, to reveal to mankind the true worship of Allah and guide us in our daily interactions with other members of the society. It is a pathway of life, and guide to peaceful human conduct and harmonious co-existence. That is why it is rightly referred to as the religion of peace .

Like every other religion, Islam, besides fulfilling our spiritual needs also creates the social environment through which people of various ethnic and social backgrounds interact almost on a daily basis. It serves as a veritable tool for social integration, and harmonious co-existence in the society, and remains one of the cords of unity that knits us together.

I therefore urge you all to replicate the unity we often display in our place of worship in the larger society. We must endeavour to demonstrate love and kindness towards one another as part of our religious and social obligations towards our neighbours. Our daily conduct and actions must always be guided by the doctrines, tenets, principles and teachings of the great prophet, Mohammed (SAW), as enunciated in the Holy Quran.

As Muslims, we must set good examples in all our deeds and actions.

The time has come for every one of us to employ religion as the vehicle of peace, unity and meaningful development in the society. Let me seize the opportunity of this occasion to express my appreciation to the contribution and support of our religious leaders have made towards the progress and achievements that our administration has recorded. We also sincerely appreciate the understanding and cooperation of the citizens of Lagos State, for the desired necessary positive change we have embarked on for the past two years we have been in office in our society.

Distinguished guest, ladies and gentlemen, our objective is to pursue policies and programmes that will ensure the greater goods for the greater number of people.

The religious harmony that we have enjoyed in Lagos State is due largely to the invaluable contributions of our religious leaders, by guiding and impressing their followers for a harmonious co-existence of all adherent and followers of different faiths. That is why it has been possible for us as a government to serve the people of Lagos State whole heartedly without distraction in the past twenty-five months of our administration.

At this juncture, I would like to congratulate those who are being conferred with the merit award of this society. They are role models, and men of integrity and great achievers in the society.

Once again, I congratulate the organizers of this 8th Merit Award, Branch Missioner, the executive committee and the entire membership of the association of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, in Lagos State, for their contribution to the spread of Islam and I urge you to continue in that spirit.

May the peace of Allah be with us all.

Ma a Salam.

Eko O Ni Baje O!

Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN),
Executive Governor,
Lagos State