Obviously, this is FOMWAN’s area of concentration, which is the provision of humanitarian services to women and empowering them. Generally, most of the Muslim organisations are not gender-sensitive in their programmes as such programmes are often targeted at Muslims generally, yet, they make sure they make substantial contribution to the women folk. Advocacy and protection of the rights of women has always been a concern for most Muslims organisations in Nigeria. There is a lot to be done in providing accommodation for female Muslims in our mosques particularly in the North. Another example in this regard is the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), a Society that has contributed so much to the emergence of the crop of Muslim elite in the country today. From the embers of a rallying point for all Muslim students regardless of social and doctrinal backgrounds, the MSSN has become fragmented structurally and ideologically. Apart from splinter groups within the body that do not follow the mainstream based on slight differences, there is the disturbing trend of various Muslim students in different Faculties and Departments forming their own MSSN to the extent that they now have national bodies.
Appraisal of Review of the Related Literature
Relevant literature was reviewed in line with the following sub-headings; the concept and history of Islam, Islam in Nigeria, Islam in Ilorin, concept of Muslim organizations, roles of Muslim organizations in the development of Islamic education. In the review, the word “Islam†said to have emerged from the Arabic root “Salimaâ€; meaning peace, submission and obedience. It was stressed that Islam is as old as man itself and is a religion of the prophets of Allah (SWT), from Adam to the last messenger, Muhammad (SAW).
Islam originated from the Arabian world “Makkah†during the time which many of its dwellers were pagans and where blood-feuds, absolute allegiance to the tribe and cults of idol worship which were banned in the universal perspective of Islam were the order of the day. It was noted in the review that Islamic world territories included the Christian and Jews and it was during the Islamic civilization that many notable scientists, astronomers, mathematicians, doctors, nurses and philosophers were produced.
On the basis of the above, the five pillars of Islam were discussed. These include;
Faith: “Tawhidâ€, that is, a revolutionary concept and constitutes the essence of the teachings of Islam; “Salatâ€, the name for the obligatory prayers which are performed five times a day; Zakat: which means both ‘proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants; Fast: compulsory abstinence from food, drink, and sexual relations from sun rise until sundown; and Hajj: the annual pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. The six articles of Faith were also discussed. They include Believe in Oneness of Allah; Believe in His Messengers without any discrimination; Believe in His Revelations and the Quran; Believe in His Angels of Allah; Believe in the Day of Judgment; and Believe in Qadaa and Qadar.
The concept of Islamic education in Nigeria was reviewed. Education in lslam means the process of developing balanced growth of the total personality of man through the training of man’s spirit, intellect, rational feedings and bodily senses. It is aimed at producing a balanced growth in the individual through both spiritual and intellectual training which caters for all aspects of human existence. The concept of Islamic education in respect of its philosophy purview the process through which human beings are trained and prepared in a concerted way to do their creator’s bidding in this life (Dun’ya) to be rewarded in the life after death (Akhirah).
The historical development of Ilorin and Islam bore significance through its location. It was between the savannah to the north and the forest zone to the south. The emergence of Islam in Ilorin community could be traced not only to the coming of ShaykhAlim, but to some Muslim Scholars who had settled in Ilorin community by the close of 17th century as Shaykh Sholagberu (Abdullah Tahir) and his people who settled at Okesuna, and other prominent Sheik. Initially, Ilorin a small village outside Oyo empire due to the revolt a large numbers of Muslims both from inside and outside Oyo empire.
Muslim organizations in formal note do not exist in vacuum, it was the urge to get Muslim children educated, free of Christian indoctrination, and to propagate and defend Islam. Ansarul-deen Society of Nigeria was the first Islamic organization. It was formed by 42 young Muslim aspirants who resolved at the meeting held in AlhajiAlawiye’s premises at 11 Balogun Street West, Lagos on the 21st December 1923, as a non-political and non-secretarian organization in order to get Muslim children educated in schools, free of Christian indoctrination; and, to propagate and defend Islam.
Fomwan was established to assist Muslim women to live according to the tenets of Islam as found in the original sources of the Sharia. The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria was also established in24th April, 1954, when a group of dedicated and committed Muslim brothers and sisters gathered together at Methodist Boys high school in Lagos in order to inaugurate a body that would unite the Muslim students in the area and to serve as the mouthpiece of the students. Ja’amat Nasil Islam is another Muslim organization claimed to have formed by Late Sir. Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto accompanied by Sheikh Abubaka Gumi the Grand Qadi of Nigeria during the Hajj of 1962. It was aimed at propagating the principles of Islam and win adherents to the True Faith.
Nawarud-Deen Society of Nigeria was founded on the 4th day of November 1939 at Abeokuta. Founding fathers were Mrs. Y. A. Lalekan, Mr. Ademola Kazzim, Alhaji Chief Y. M. Abudu, Alhaji S. A. Adeboye among other. One of its objectives was to promote, foster, encourage and sustain the religion of Islam. Finally, Jamaat-ulIslamiyya of Nigeria (formerly known as the Islamic Society of Nigeria) was established in March 1924, by its first leader, Alh. L.B. Aguesto vehemently opposed the Qadian belief that one is not a true Muslim unless he also regards Gulam Ahmad as a prophet.
By and large, Muslim organisations play the role of encouraging Muslim parents to send their children to school for securing education. The teaching of Islamic studies as a school certificate subject and establishment of the Muslims students’ society throughout the country, it becomes possible for students in modern schools and colleges to have access to an accurate presentation of the teaching of the holy Quran and Sunnah.
