Halal economy vital tool for national devt – Southern Ulamah

The Southern Nigerian Ulammah Summit has affirmed the Halal economy as a vital tool for ethical, inclusive, and sustainable national development benefiting Nigerians across religious lines. This was part of the resolutions in a communiqué jointly signed by the convener, Sheikh Isa Akindele Salaudeen, and Chairman, Organising Committee, Prof Olaiya Abideen Olaitan, after the summit […]

The Southern Nigerian Ulammah Summit has affirmed the Halal economy as a vital tool for ethical, inclusive, and sustainable national development benefiting Nigerians across religious lines.

This was part of the resolutions in a communiqué jointly signed by the convener, Sheikh Isa Akindele Salaudeen, and Chairman, Organising Committee, Prof Olaiya Abideen Olaitan, after the summit held on Wednesday at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, with the theme: “Confronting the Economic and Security Challenges in Nigeria.”

The Ulammah called for enhanced national support and expansion of Halal economic frameworks as a key component of Nigeria’s development strategy.

They noted that through platforms such as Islamic banking, Sukuk bonds, Takaful insurance, and other Halal investments, Nigeria has financed major infrastructure and expanded access to non-exploitative capital for both Muslims and Christians, underscoring that Halal finance is an economic, not sectarian initiative.

The Ulammah cautioned against attempts by certain commentators to politicise or religiously frame the Halal economy, noting its nationwide benefits, its adoption in Christian-majority states, and its embrace by non-Muslim nations such as the UK, USA, Japan, and South Africa.

The summit reaffirmed the constitutional right of Muslims to practice their faith fully, including access to Shariah courts, Islamic personal law, Islamic education, Halal finance, Islamic burial systems, and religious expression in public institutions, stressing that denial or obstruction of these rights contradicts constitutional guarantees and threatens national cohesion.

They reaffirmed that unity is both a divine mandate and a strategic necessity and that a united Ummah strengthens political voice, communal dignity, and national impact, adding that Muslim leaders and organisations must prioritise collaboration, harmonisation of efforts, and internal cohesion over rivalry and sectarian disputes.

The summit expressed concern over systemic underrepresentation of Muslims in political appointments, public service, media, education policy, and infrastructural planning across the South.

“It was observed that Southern Muslims have not been adequately rewarded for the massive support for the present government during the 2023 general elections. The government is urged to implement inclusive policies that will reflect the demographic and constitutional rights of Southern Muslims.”

The summit also dismissed claims alleging systematic genocide against Christians in Nigeria, noting such narratives fuel division and foreign interference.

“Evidence shows that Muslims constitute the majority of victims of insurgency, extrajudicial killings, displacement, and security operations nationwide. National discourse must be based on truth, data, and justice,” the communiqué added.

The summit maintained that Professor Amupitan’s earlier endorsement of religious persecution claims compromised his neutrality as INEC Chairman and called for his resignation or replacement in the interest of democratic credibility and national unity.

To address insecurity, the summit called for comprehensive reforms focused on intelligence-driven security, border protection, strengthening the justice system, youth empowerment, and socio-economic interventions that tackle the root causes rather than symptoms.

It reiterated that Islam condemns all acts of terrorism, extremism, insurgency, and violence against innocent civilians, regardless of the identity or motive of perpetrators, adding that no individual or group should weaponise Islam to justify criminality, nor should criminal actions be ascribed to the Muslim community.

The summit, which observed that Nigeria’s socioeconomic challenges stemmed from corruption, mismanagement, institutional weakness, and leadership failures, called for fiscal transparency, economic diversification, improved public service delivery, and investments in education, health, agriculture, and technology.

While mourning victims of the recent abductions of 24 secondary school students in Kebbi State, they prayed for the safe recovery of those still missing, and urged proactive security measures to prevent recurrence.

The summit also commiserated with the Nigerian Army and the family of the late Brigadier General Uba, along with personnel killed in the Bula-Tulu (Butallu) operation and prayed that Allah comfort the bereaved families.

The communiqué, which commends the sacrifices, professionalism, and courage of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies in protecting the nation despite limited resources, called for enhanced welfare, equipment, training, and accountability structures to support their mission.

The Southern Nigerian Ulammah Summit, convened on behalf of the Congregation of Southern Ulamah and attended by over 350 scholars, leaders, and delegates from the South-West, South-East, and South-South geopolitical zones, as well as a high-level contingent of Ulamah representatives from Northern Nigeria, brought together a broad spectrum of Islamic organizations including Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Tijjaniyyah, JIBWIS (Kaduna & Jos), Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), FASON, Qadiriyyah, Nigeria Council of Ulamah, Jama’atu Tajdidil Islamy, Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), NACOMYO, National Islamic Centre (NIC), The Muslim Congress (TMC), Organisation of Tadhamunul Muslimeen (OTM), Political Awareness Group (PAG), Al-Burhan, Concerned Muslim Organisations, Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars, Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN) and the Coalition of Women Islamic Organizations, among others.