African scholars meet in Morocco

Participants from Nigeria were invited by Sheikh Sheriff Ibrahim Saleh, the Chairman of the Fatwa Committee of the Jamatu Nasril Islam and the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. The coordination and logistics was managed by Malam Kamal Muhammed a Special Assistant to the Sheikh. On arrival in Morocco, participants were taken to Fez where […]

Participants from Nigeria were invited by Sheikh Sheriff Ibrahim Saleh, the Chairman of the Fatwa Committee of the Jamatu Nasril Islam and the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. The coordination and logistics was managed by Malam Kamal Muhammed a Special Assistant to the Sheikh. On arrival in Morocco, participants were taken to Fez where they spent five days networking with diverse groups, visiting mosques, famous Islamic institutes, sufi zawiyya and a nearby city of Ifram.
The Foundation chose the month of Ramadan to convene the meeting of African ulama to provide an opportunity for many of them to explore Fez, the historic Moroccan city known for its scholarship and sufi narratives. The daily schedule was to have free time during the day to concentrate on devotional activities, attend joint iftar sessions and an activity outside the hotel. On one of the evenings, participants were hosted by the Governor of Fez to a sumptuous iftar at the old city municipal building overlooking a fortress. After the event, we walked through the alley ways to the residence of Sheikh Ahmadu Tijjani where we said our prayers before returning to the hotel.  His home and mosque attract a lot of visitors, mainly Islamic scholars and students who go to Fez to study. Sidi Abu Abbas Ahmad al-Tijani was born in the Southwest Algerian oasis town of Ain Madi in 1150 (1737 C.E.). He was a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad SAW through Fatima Zahra’s first son Hasan and later through Mawlay Idris, the celebrated founder of Morocco.
On Monday July 13 2015 participants were flown back to Casablanca for the launching ceremony of the Mohamed VI Foundation for African Ulama (FAU). The event held at the opulent palace of the King with unique ceramic design and was attended by about three hundred guests. On arrival, we watched the local participants who all turned up in the traditional cream coloured Moroccan kaftans filing into the building. The women wore similar kaftans with a scarf.
 The African participants who turned up in bright completed the mosaic at the gathering. We all sat on flat Arabian chairs and listened to Qur’anic recitation before the opening ceremony began. The dignitaries were ushered in and the introduction to the event was concise.
The Moroccan King, His Majesty Mohammed VI and the founder was represented by Dr Ahmad Taofiq, the Minister of Endowment and Islamic Affairs. He said the aim of the foundation’s aim is to unite the ulama of the Kingdom with their colleagues on the African continent.  He recalled that geographical data and historical records showed that diplomatic, trade and religious ties existed between Morocco and several African countries. These developed from the early days of Islam to the Idrisids era up to the Alaouite dynasty. Of particular importance are the Sufi Tariqa Schools- the Qadiriyyah and Tijanniyyah which originated from Morocco and recorded millions of followers across Africa. The foundation also underscored the importance of having women scholars at the launch of Foundation to ensure that the society benefits from their contributions.
Establishment of the foundation was preceded by consultation among select scholars across Africa and a preliminary meeting was later held in Rabat, the Moroccan capital in June 2015. The launching event a month later brought together a cream of Muslim scholars around Africa.
 He outlined the objectives of the Foundation. Among them are to promote unity among Ulama in Morocco and African states, highlight, reinforce and disseminate the values of a tolerant Islam, promote intellectual scientific and cultural development within Islamic communities, encourage establishment of religious, scientific and cultural centres and institutions and to network and promote cooperation with associations and organisations that pursue similar objectives in Africa.
In his response on behalf of the African scholars, Sheikh Ibrahim Salih commended His Majesty King Mohamed VI for establishing the foundation. He described it as a timely response to a call to duty to serve Allah and a move that will sustain Morocco’s historical achievements in spreading Islamic knowledge and values across Africa. He said, ‘On behalf of African Scholars who are present and those who are absent for obvious reason, but who will be joining us later, we announce that we do accept the call. It is a call that has come at an appropriate time, and
If we agree on it, accepted it and pledge to make it a success, it is only because it is a call from the heart of guidance of the messenger of Allah peace and prayer be upon him. Allah the all mighty called on us to unite and obey Him and those charged with authority.’
After the inauguration of the foundation participants moved to the dining area of the palace for iftar and prayed magrib prayers in the courtyard. The last event of the day held at the King Mohamed the IV Mosque, a state of the art building with exotic interior ceramic design. We said out tarawih prayers and engaged in spiritually uplifting zikr. There was a large turnout of worshippers who were delighted when the King showed up and the applause was loud.