Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has said that Islam is a religion that teaches love, understanding, and tolerance.
He lamented the misrepresentation of Islam by a few adherents to promote extremism in the religion.
Abiodun, who expressed this in a keynote address at the Annual Special Ramadan Iftar and Lecture held at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, over the weekend, said the religion teaches peace, moderation, and justice and does not encourage compulsion or extremism.
He said: “Extremism not only soils the image of Islam but undermines its very essence, which is submission to Allah in peace and humility.
“What Islam teaches is to foster love, understanding, and tolerance. We are duty-bound to reject ideologies that promote division, hatred, bigotry, and violence.
“Unfortunately, the beautiful message of Islam has often been distorted by the few who seek to promote extremism in the name of religion.”
He emphasized that Ramadan is a sacred period that calls for sober reflection and a time for Muslims to renew their faith and apply their hearts to the core values of Islam, which are peace, compassion, and unity.
Abiodun maintained that Allah has made fasting in the month of Ramadan a divine obligation as contained in the Holy Quran.
While calling on Muslim brothers and sisters to use the fasting period to deepen their faith and renew their moral values, reaffirming their commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the governor noted that it is time for them to become ambassadors of Islam by spreading love, patience, and understanding.
The governor assured that his administration is committed to promoting religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence among adherents of different faiths.
He appreciated the Muslim community for their invaluable contributions toward building a just, inclusive, and progressive society, which is in line with the “Building Our Future Together” agenda of his administration.
The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, in his remarks, admonished Muslims to follow the dictates of the Holy Quran and the Prophet as commanded by Allah.
The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, while charging Muslims to put the lessons of Ramadan into practice, also urged them to be their brothers’ keepers by assisting one another.
Guest Lecturer, Alhaji Sikirulai Kunle Hassan, who spoke on the topic, “Islam and the Rejection of Extremism,” said extremism comes in different forms, attributing the main cause to poverty and injustice.
Alhaji Hassan, who read from the Quran, chapter 2, verse 43, stated that in a society where the citizens are not guaranteed basic needs and where injustice is perpetuated, extremism would be the order of the day.
He said that to tackle extremism, there must be concerted efforts on the part of the government to address poverty through job creation and ensure justice is done for all people at all times.
The program was attended by the wife of the governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, the Deputy Governor, Engr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Chief Imams of Ijebu, Egba, Remo, and Yewaland, as well as traditional rulers, elder statesmen, political party stalwarts, among others.
