The African Shia Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the Leadership of SayyidIbraheem Zakzaky (H) has opened the 8th annual unity week with a lecture from Sheikh Nura Khaleed on Tuesday 12th Rabi’ul Awwal 1432 H (15th February 2010) at the Baqiyyatullah Husainiyya Zaria. The oratory Sheikh used to be an active preacher of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bidi’ah wa Iqamatus Sunnah.
He is now the Imam at the National Assembly, Abuja. He spoke on the important role of the youth in Islam. In his well researched discourse, he began by tracing the literal definition of the word “youth”. He made references from the famous Lisanil Arab and form the glorious Qur’an. He then explained the stages of human development and discussed the pivotal importance of the youthful stage of life in the Islamic perspective.
He enjoined parents and guardians to inculcate standard Islamic ethics into the youth under their care. He backed this by quoting four excerpts culled from the will of Imam Ali Ameerul Mu’mineen (AS) which was delivered to his son Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (AS), thus:
I. Awaken and make live your soul with the constant remembrance of Allah (dhikr)
II. Enjoin good and prohibit bad through constant struggle
III. Love good to others as you love to yourself. Evaluate yourself constantly.
IV. Work hard to earn legitimate wealth because there are two types of wealth: the one looking for you and the one you are looking for.
It is the usual practice that Sayyid Zakzaky (H) makes some remarks after the speaker. So Sayyid (H) in his remarks said that the lecture presented would benefit not only the youth but other categories also.
Then Sayyid (H) touched on the issue of unity, which is the central theme of the annual event. He pointed to the fact that Muslims differ NOT on fundamentals. Hence we can accommodate each other and work towards a common goal. He finally expressed gratitude to the speakerfor gracing the occasion despite the arduous trip and tight schedules.
Unity Week programme was instituted by the Late Imam Khomeini (QS) from 12 to 17 of R/R-Auwal to strengthen unity among Muslims Ummah.
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