Penultimate week of the new year, a historic visit by the leadership of Qadiriyya Movement of Africa under its revered spiritual head, Sheikh (Dr.) Qaribullahi Nasiru Kabara to President Muhammadu Buhari has open yet another vista in the annals of history for discourse amongst political pundits and academic intelligentsia; moreso, the visit has, in the course of further analysis identify its significance vis-a-vis the continued search for viable nationhood, nurturing and sustainability of our fledgling democracy not limited to the role of the Ulamah as the light of purposeful society.
Qadiriyya Movement of Africa being an Islamic organization founded by the teachings of the Holy book and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was brought to fore by its notable leader, Sheikh Abdulqadir Al-Jilani for the propagation of Creator’s monotheism and Sufism has, undoubtedly remain the core preoccupation and submission of its millions adherents.
However, this brief cause of Qadiriyya symbolizes its leadership commitment and devotion – hence successive leaders at Nigeria’s corridors of power found, in addition to spiritual purpose, the uniqueness of the Movement; thus paving way for genuine national interface between the lead and the led, synergy and collaboration as a veritable consultation tool capable of exploring the needed cooperation and understanding of government policies which emanates from direct or indirect exchange of ideas, a development that foster tolerance amongst various religious faithful.
Whereas for centuries, the Movement founding father and its consolidator in Africa and other sub-continent, prominent Islamic scholars like the late Sheikh (Dr.) Muhammad Nasiru Kabara has been a leading light in this regard – having preached the gospel of Islam and other tenets of Sufism and God’s monotheism throughout his over 7 decades sojourn on this earth!
While Nigeria continues to search for its indivisibility through good governance, the marriage between Qadiriyya’s leadership and the PMB is not only on a right track but observed to be strategically relevant for an emerging and culturally but religiously re-oriented society! Present but notable societal ills bedeviling the nation were not unconnected with seemingly poor attention accorded religious bodies (identified to preach the gospel of peaceful co-existence) over the years.
Having noted the triangular nature of President Muhammadu Buhari as a teetotaler; nothing short of these commendable attributes but to tap from the wisdom the Almighty endows religious leaders in the course of offering counsel as panacea to the nation’s ills! It is worth noting that for close to a century (now); the Qadiriyya Movement of Africa whose leadership is based in Kano consistently holds its annual Maukibi, known mostly in local parlance as “Waliyyai” or Moulud. It maiden debut was with a negligible odd number but sprang and blossom to hosting millions participants annually! A replica of Prophet’s initial calling to his immediate household to embrace Islam.
Whereas the audience between Nigeria’s No. 1 citizen and Qadiriyya Movement of Africa leadership in company of its sister Sudanese arm held a no-bar discussion and exchange of other mutual relationship. It is quite gratifying that government as publicly admitted by PMB that history and cause has vindicated the Movement of being peaceful. Furthermore, its capacity of hosting millions of followers free of any violence, in addition to continued presence of important dignitaries from within and outside has undoubtedly made pessimists wagging in disbelief!
A clear picture of the visit as vividly narrated by a member of the delegation, Engr. Muhd Yasin Maisikeli states interalia that “Qadiriyya Movement of Africa was in the State House to pray for the improved health and continued recuperation of PMB and by extension a family re-union.”
President Muhammadu Buhari who was, unlike other leaders of claiming holier-than-thou demonstrated his intimacy to the Movement by the warm reception accorded Sheikh (Dr.) Qaribullahi Kabara and other august guests! In spite of his position as father of the nation, PMB wouldn’t have accorded this unprecedented reception for not knowing well the peaceful nature upon which the Qadiriyya’s leadership and multitude of its members conduct themselves worldwide.
Unlike other hostile religious bodies whose penchant conducts exhibit erosion of regard to the sovereign status of Nigeria, Qadiriyya Movement has frontally remained prominent in the good books of the nation’s security apparatus – an indisputable testimony!
In spite of the affront made by authors of Nigeria’s constitution under the guise of “socalled phrase of secularism;” climes consisting of large diversity like us needs religious infusion and re-orientation to drive the needed mechanism of addressing human-created societal ills not limited to herders/farmers clash, kidnapping, armed robbery, unabated and numerous forms of corruptions spanning in stocking of needed developmental funds in personal “sockaways, hardened iron-cabinets” at the expense of good governance which is the hallmark of leadership responsibility to the led.
While religious bodies like the Qadiriyya Movement of Africa and others are expected not to distance selves from the nation’s corridors of power for fear of partisan; however, spiritual counselling, collaboration, synergy in terms of attracting public understanding of government policies shall remain one of the raison d’tre for sustainable interface. Nevertheless, their godly-given wisdom and advice to our leaders will further boost their capacity and strengthen the political will to address the nation’s woes squarely.
Ayagi is Communication & Strategy Aide to Leader of Qadiriyya Movement of Africa
(Qadiriyya House), Kabara Quarters
Kano City – Kano
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0802 334 0986