Former Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. (Dr.) AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef has called on Muslim Professionals to be actively involved in Da’wah activities.
AbdulLateef, noted that the beautiful presentation of the universality of Islamic message remains a veritable solution to overcoming media framing.
The renowned Muslim scholar stated during the 3rd Anniversary Lecture of Muslim News Nigeria
The event, which held over the weekend in Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria, also featured presentation of awards to the winners of Nigerian and Global Muslim Personalities of the Year 2020.
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In his goodwill message, the former Lagos Commissioner advised Muslims across various professions not to leave the propagation of Islam entirely to the traditional scholars (local Mallams), saying that they must also be actively involved.
According to him, “Islamophobia isn’t strange. Muslimophobia is also not new. People are afraid of Islam, because there is deliberate distortion of its beautiful and holy name.
“There are three categories of people, namely: the enemies who can never paint Islam well. We also have the ignorant Muslims who de-market Islam by presenting it in an unmarketable way; and the last categories are Muslims who, though conscious of their religion, have been painted in bad light.
“One way out for us is to engage in Da’wah at all levels with continuous enlightenment. And in doing this, Muslim professionals in law, medicine, media, education and others must also get involved in the propagation of Islam”, he noted.
Abdul Lateef, who is also the Chief Imam of Lagos House of Assembly Mosque, described Islam as the best product but with the worst marketers.
“Most muslims de-market Islam with their untoward conduct and approaches. It is one thing to have a marketable product, it’s another thing for you to be a true representation of what you profess. Most marketers of Islam do not represent Islam”, he said.
He stressed that Da’wah must not be left to those who are popularly referred to as ‘Alfas’, who lack the ability and capability to market Islam, saying, “what you don’t have, you can’t give”.
