This study, “SHEIKH ADMAD LEMU CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAM IN NIGERIA, HIS DAWAH ACTIVITIES” contains concise information that will serve as a framework or guide for your project work. The project study is well-researched for academic purposes and are usually provided in complete chapters with adequate References. Keywords: SHEIKH ADMAD LEMU CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAM IN NIGERIA, HIS DAWAH ACTIVITIES
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study His Eminence Dr. Shaikh Ahmed Lemu is a renowned Islamic scholar, known and respected by West African Muslims and throughout the Islamic world. He is a composed intellectual, a devout Muslim and an advocate of moderation, justice and open-mindedness. He is also a strong supporter of women’s rights. His relentless efforts to advance Islamic education, development and Da’wa (call to Islam) are evident from his publications, countless lectures, seminars and classes, and active participation in national, regional and international Islamic conferences and events. He is a member of several international Islamic organizations worldwide, and author or editor of many books and school references which aim, along with his lecturers and classes, to promote and re-enforce the proper understanding of Islam and expand knowledge of the Islamic creed. He is also known for his deep involvement in Islamic humanitarian activities. He is the Founder and President of the Islamic Education Trust in Nigeria and a member of several other humanitarian societies and endowments that serve Muslims in his country. Dr. Shaikh Ahmed Lemu’s immense contributions have earned him several prizes and accolades, including, among others, the Prize of Merit from the Government of Niger State in 1991; the Nigerian National Order by former Nigerian President Abdulsalami AbuBakrr in 1999 and former Nigerian President Obasanjo in 2001; Honorary Doctorate Degree from Uthman Danfodiyo University (1996); Honorary Doctorate Degree from Osogbo University (2011) and Honorary Doctorate Degree from Al-Hilal University (2013). Among the fundamental human rights allotted to every citizen of Nigeria are the rights to thoughts, freedom and religion. Also, Nigerians, like many of their counterparts across the world, have the rights to peaceful assembly and association, without being disgraced, discriminated against or trampled upon. Religion constitutes the core of beingness for everyone, it is “a personal awareness or conviction of the existence of a supreme being or of supernatural powers or influences controlling one’s own, humanity’s, or all nature’s destiny” (Oloyede, 2008). While Friedrich Schleiermacher in the late 18th century conceived religion as the “feeling of absolute dependence” indirectly reiterating the truth of man’s nature, Jonathan Haidt, a self-proclaimed atheist in a discussion with CNN, had the following to say about religion, hence its indispensability: Whether or not you believe in God, religions accomplish something miraculous. They turn large number of people who are not kin into a group that is able to work together, trust each other, and help each other. They are living embodiments of e pluribus Unum (from many, one). No other species on the planet has ever accomplished that. Bees and ants are great at it, but they can only do it because they are all sisters (Haidt, 2013). Sheik Ahmed Lemu, respected Islamic teacher was chairman of the Presidential Committee on Post-Election Violence in 2011 and also a member of some other sensitive government panels including the Vision 2010 Committee constituted by General Sani Abacha Lemu, however, in this interview reviews the state of the polity and expresses his opinion on how the many challenges against the country can be addressed. According to Mosadomi, (2015) in an interview asked “how do you see Nigeria of Yesterday today and how do you see the future of the country”? Sheik Ahmed Lemu excerpts that: “Okay. If you say yesterday, I don’t know of yesterday you are referring but if you are talking of governance in Nigeria, certainly, the years before the coup were excellent years for Nigeria”. Those political leaders in particular, Sardauna of Sokoto, Dr. Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Tafawa Balewa, these four figures in particular were operating democracy by African standards only to be ousted by the 1966 coup. That coup derailed Nigeria from democracy to military administration and subsequent coups made things worse right up to even when we were brought back to the so called democracy which amounts to selfishness, mismanagement in various ways (Mosadomi, 2015).
Keywords: SHEIKH ADMAD LEMU CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAM IN NIGERIA, HIS DAWAH ACTIVITIES
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