Category: Religion Watch (ISLAM)

CSO urges CBN to scrap 2% service charge on Hajj payments

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A civil society organisation, Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to abolish the 2% service charge imposed on Hajj fare payments made by Nigerian pilgrims, describing it as a significant contributor to the rising cost of the annual pilgrimage In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, IHR said the fee equivalent to about $90 or N144,000 per pilgrim based on the current exchange rate of N1,600 to the dollar placed an additional financial burden on intending pilgrims. With Nigeria’s Hajj…

Hadith competition concludes with grand finale in Abuja ….. Organizers charge youth to adhere to Sunnah

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Mohammed VI Foundation for African Oulema today held the closing ceremony of a prestigious Hadith Competition recently organized to inspire young men and women to deepen their understanding of the Prophet’s teachings. The competition, which drew participants from various regions and states across Nigeria, culminated in a grand finale held at the Abuja National Mosque Conference Hall. A total of 560 participants took part in the competition, which was divided into three categories: memorization of 40 Hadiths, memorization and meaning of 35 Hadiths, and memorization and jurisprudence of 25…

Friday Sermon: Allah Almighty Promised To Put The Believers On Test And Trial! 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 beloved master Prophet Muhammad, the last of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions.   Dear brothers and sisters! Allah the Most High says:   “Do people think once they say, “We believe,” that they will be left without being put to the test and trial? We certainly tested and tried those before them. And ˹in this way˺ Allah will…

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…