By Usman Aliyu
Muslim stakeholders in Edo have called for unity, reconciliation and stronger cooperation among members of the community to address internal divisions and advance their collective interests ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The stakeholders made the call on Saturday in Benin during a one-day Muslim engagement, where participants raised concerns about disagreements among Muslim leaders and institutions.
They also raised concerns about poverty alleviation, education, youth development, the welfare of Muslim workers and issues surrounding the wearing of hijab.
The News. Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was themed:: “Unity, Cooperation and the Development of the Muslim Ummah.”
The meeting provided a platform for Muslim leaders and other stakeholders to discuss challenges facing the community and explore ways of strengthening unity and promoting its social and economic development.
Participants stressed the need for greater understanding and cooperation among Muslim groups, noting that a united community would be better positioned to address its concerns and contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.
Speaking at the engagement, Mallam Ahmed Momoh, Special Adviser to Gov. Monday Okpebholo on Islamic Religious Matters, said the meeting was convened to address divisions within the Muslim community and promote reconciliation.
“The essence of this programme is unity of the Ummah. We don’t want that division in the Muslim sector,” he said.
Momoh said the engagement was part of efforts to provide a platform for dialogue between the government and Muslim stakeholders.
He added that the office of the Special Adviser was intended to facilitate communication and address issues affecting the community.
He also announced plans for a Muslim Engagement Summit in Edo North in November, where stakeholders would deliberate on the future of the community and its political direction.
“For us as Muslims, it’s not what we will get that is most important to us. We don’t want that division in the Muslim sector,” he said.
Momoh attributed the establishment of the Office of the Special Adviser on Islamic Religious Matters to the Okpebholo administration’s efforts to promote engagement with the Muslim community.
He described the office as an important platform for bringing Muslim organisations together and strengthening communication between the community and the state government.
According to him, the office can only achieve its objectives if Muslim leaders and organisations cooperate to address their differences.
“The office has come to stay,” he said, expressing confidence that sustained engagement would strengthen cohesion within the community.
He called on Muslims across Edo to support the initiative and participate in efforts to build a more united community.
Momoh urged Muslim leaders and members of the community to prioritise reconciliation and collective interests over disagreements.
“Unity. Let us unite. Let us unite so that we will be able to fight the cause of the Ummah,” he said.
The engagement brought together Muslim stakeholders to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation and advancing the interests of the community in Edo.
NAN reports that other participants at the meeting raised concerns about disagreements among Muslim leaders and institutions, calling for dialogue, reconciliation and stronger coordination.
One of the participants, Usman Tijani, who identified himself as a representative of the League of Imams, urged the special adviser to work with traditional rulers and other community leaders to resolve disputes affecting the Muslim community.
He said existing disagreements required constructive intervention to prevent further divisions.
Another participant, Umar Abdullahi, highlighted poverty alleviation, education, youth development and the welfare of Muslim workers as issues requiring attention.
Other participants called for measures to protect Muslim pupils’ interests in schools, including addressing concerns surrounding the wearing of hijab. (NAN)
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma
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