By Olabisi Kazeem (Imam Ailaka)
Ede (Osun) FLOWERBUDNEWS : An islamic scholar, Dr luqman Idris Shekoni has called on Imams to serve as examplary role model by Exhibiting high standard of moral conduct in carrying out daily activities in their respective Masaajid.
Dr Idris gave the admonition during the recent FIRST SEMINAR to be organized for Rawaatib Imams in Ede and environment, themed: my role and duties as an Imam held at ADMUS events center, along Akoda.
He said appointing Imam was not something that should be done casually or as a matter of convenience. He (Imam) is not just somebody that leads prayers but a spiritual guide, moral compass, community leader and often a mediator and educator.
An lmam must have good conduct by embodying honesty, patience, kindness in his daily life affairs and avoid speech or actions that can cause division, sectarian discord or community conflicts.
This, according to him would allow the responsible lmams to place responsibility to ALLAH and humanity above personal status or material gains.
Speaking further, : The roles and responsibilities of an Imam requires a deep understanding of Islam, good characters (KHULUQ) . This process ensures that the right person is entitled with this noble role.
On the financial sustainability to make the role of an Imam attractive, the erudite scholar asked the Muslim community to form a committee on how to pay the salary for our lmams as do in all islamic civilized societies.
He said : ” Imams have families, responsibilities and financial obligations and when are underpaid or not paid at all, it leads to unnecessary hardship, distraction from their duties and over dependence on unhealthy financial alternatives.
In his farewell address, the Chief Imam of Ede Land, sheikh Mos’ud Husain Akajewole acknowledged the blessings of Almighty ALLAH to allow this seminar for Ede Rawaatib Imams the first of its kind in Osun state.
The Chief Imam Akajewole urged the participating audience to strictly listen and be ready to follow all what the invited scholers have to let them know about the role and duties of an Imam.
He used the gathering to appraise the Rawaatib Imams led by the president general Alhaji Yunus Adewumi and the chairman, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Babatunde Eleshin for deeming it fit to initiate an “increase your knowledge” seminar in their tenure.
Earlier, Dr Sirojudeen Asrau Bilal in his keynote address, said that the role of an Imam carries a sacred trust and must as a matter of commitment to his duty, be approached with wisdom, structure and fairness.
Dr Asrau Bilal who was represented by Chief Imam of Ile -Ogbo advised the patispating ulamas to have fear of ALLAH, as their position as Imams had what to do directly with the God that destined their selection.
According to him : It’s an Imam that gospels for the members of his congregation to desist from ungodly and abnormal things therefore an Imam must know how to check himself from associating with unlawful characters, he concluded.
The seminar also provided rare opportunity for the patispating ulamas to have a direct access to health talk packaged by C.E.O Ede Muslim Hospital, Dr Moshood Akanbi on how important to keep fit.
Speaking extensively on kidney diseases, he directed his messages towards the congregation to maintain active lifestyle as nutritious diet may help prevent kidney problems.
Maintaining kidney health, according to him is very important to one’s overall health, your body will filter and expel waste properly and produce hormones to help your body function very well.
He advised the patispating ulamas to find an activity that keeps them busy. This, according to him, will be easier to give them great results. He also encouraged to stay hydrated as regular water intake is healthy for kidneys.
Notable Islamic clerics like Grand mufti and Wazeerul Muhmineen of Yoruba land, sheikh Abdul Lateef Adekilekun, Ajanasi Agba of Ede Land sheikh Abdul Rofiu Inaolaji, Professor Abdul Rasheed from Al Hiqmah University,