Category: Religion

National Mosque hosts historic Igbo thanksgiving, heroes immortalisation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Mosque, Abuja, on Friday, September 26, 2025, hosted the Igbo Thanksgiving and Heroes Immortalisation programme in a landmark gesture of unity, gratitude, and reflection. The event, convened by Hon. Cletus Amaraegbu and organised by the Diaspora Alliance in collaboration with the Association of Igbo Daughters in Nigeria & the Diaspora, coincided with the Jumat Service. With the theme “Gratitude, Memory and Unity,” it aimed at thanking God for the preservation of the Igbo nation and Nigeria while honouring fallen heroes who contributed to the country’s progress.   Chief…

NAHCON announces 2026 Hajj fare, sets December 31 deadline for payment

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has released the approved fares for the 2026 Hajj exercise, following consultations with stakeholders and approval by the Federal Government. The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Management of the Commission. Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman, announced the breakdown of fares as follows: 1. Maiduguri-Yola Zone (Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, and Taraba States): ₦8,118,333.67 2. Other Northern States: ₦8,244,813.67 3. Southern States: ₦8,561,013.67 According to Professor Abdullahi, the 2026 Hajj fare reflected a reduction of about ₦200,000 compared to…

Friday Sermon: How To Sincerely Love, Defend And Support The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Who Was Misunderstood By Both The Muslims And Non-Muslims! By Imam Murtadha Gusau-Okene

Emporium Reporters

In the Name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our beloved master Prophet Muḥammad, the last of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions. Dear brothers and sisters! Know that, Allah Almighty chose Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) over all of His creation. The following Hadith confirms this. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: “Truly, Allah took me as a close friend just as He took Ibrahim as a…

MURIC demands muslim representation in Lagos Tutor-General appointments

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to ensure fair religious representation in the appointment of tutor-generals across the state’s six educational districts. The Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, made this demand on Thursday while reacting to recent clarifications that four Muslims were among the nine permanent secretaries appointed by the governor two days earlier. According to Akintola, while the clarification addressed concerns over the permanent secretaries, another “monopoly and marginalisation” issue exists in the appointment of tutor-generals, where all six current…

Oyo state reaffirms students’ right to wear Hijab, MURIC applauds decision

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed the right of Muslim female students in public schools to wear the hijab as part of their official school uniform, a move hailed by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Oyo State Chapter, as a landmark victory for justice and equality.   The resolution followed a petition by concerned parents, led by Mallam Ayanrinde Daud, to MURIC over the refusal of some missionary public schools to admit girls wearing the hijab. Responding swiftly, MURIC’s State Secretary, Ambassador Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, accompanied the affected parents and…

Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) Was Not Born Circumcised, Or With Antimony (Kwalli) In His Eyes! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the Name of Allah, The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, the last of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions. Dear brothers and sisters! It is reported in some narrations that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was born with a cut umbilical cord and circumcised, but these narrations are either weak or fabricated. Indeed, there are other Prophetic narrations which contradict the above narrations, which state that…

MURIC faults Sanwo-Olu over alleged ‘All-Christian’ Permanent Secretaries

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has faulted Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State over the alleged appointment of an “all-Christian” set of permanent secretaries, otherwise referred to as tutor generals, in the state. The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Founder and Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, who accused the governor of religious imbalance, administrative exclusivity, and disregard for constitutional provisions. According to the group, the nine new tutor generals announced on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, in a circular released by the Head…

NAHCON, partner Banks unveil digital savings platform to aase pilgrims’ journey to Hajj

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has deepened engagements with its financial partners on the rollout of a digital registration portal under the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS), aimed at making it easier for Nigerian Muslims to prepare for the sacred pilgrimage. At a recent session, Jaiz Bank, Taj Bank, Alternative Bank, and Lotus Bank presented their proposals on the new platform, designed to help intending pilgrims save gradually and securely towards fulfilling their religious obligation. The Hajj Savings Scheme was introduced as a contributory initiative to reduce the burden…

MURIC urges Ooni of Ife to stop alleged extortion of muslim traders over Olojo festival levies

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, to intervene in alleged harassment and extortion of Muslim traders in Ile-Ife by palace agents who reportedly imposed illegal levies for the annual Olojo Festival.   In a statement issued on Monday, September 22, 2025, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the association received a petition from the Artisans, Peasants and Traders Association of Nigeria (APTAN), Ile-Ife branch, accusing palace representatives of invading Oja Tuntun Otisese Weekly Market on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.…

NAHCON Chairman, Top Officials head to Saudi Arabia to finalize 2026 Hajj Service agreements

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, will on Monday, 22nd September 2025, lead a delegation of Commissioners and the Commission’s Secretary, Dr. Mustapha M. Ali, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to conclude critical service agreements for the 2026 Hajj.   The visit is in line with the operational calendar released by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MoHU), which stipulates that September 6–23, 2025 (15–29 Safar 1447H), is the period for early contracting and payment for Mashair (camps). The Ministry…