Cleric tasks journalists on truthful reportage

A Muslim cleric in Ilorin, Dr. Kamaldeen Ajijolakeu, has urged media practitioners to gain paradise and attract Allah’s mercy through truthful reportage.

He made the statement during the maiden Ramadan Lecture, titled, “Maximising benefits of Ramadan”, organized by the members of the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) on Thursday in Ilorin.

Ajijolakeu, who is the Chief Imam of Sarab Central Mosque, Ilorin, reiterated that fasting was recommended by Almighty Allah for every believer, adding that it erases sins and gives chance to enter paradise.

He reminded the audience that no sinner would gain paradise, as there is no place for filth in paradise.

The Chief Imam explained that some of the ways human beings could be cleansed from sins include being saved through the intercession of good people and through good deeds from one’s profession.

“Through your profession, you may have yourself cleansed of your sins and forgiven by Allah. Through what you write as journalists to promote good deeds and what Almighty Allah enjoined,” Ajijolakeu, also a Micro-Biology Lecturer with the University of Ilorin, said.

The guest speaker assured Muslims of maximum benefits during Ramadan through the exaltation of Almighty Allah, observing complete Salat, providing Sadaqat, Zakatul-fitri, and observing Ithikaf.

He said that rewards for all good deeds by believers are multiplied in folds during the month of Ramadan and are directed to attract Allah’s mercy.

Ajijolakeu urged Muslims to believe in the power of prayers, be spiritually contented, and not rely on any substance or items as a substitute for the power of prayers.

He admonished Muslim parents to encourage their children and wards to have knowledge of the Holy Qur’an for spiritual sustainability and Allah’s mercy.

Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the MMPN, Mallam Abdulrazaq Laaro, said that part of the objectives of the group was to promote, preserve, protect and cater to the religious, moral, social, and spiritual advancement of Muslims.

“To encourage literacy and intellectual pursuits among all Muslims and in particular the study of Islam,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture was held together with a prayer session to deepen the gains of the holy month of Ramadan.