As Ansar-ud-Deen Youth Association of Nigeria, ADYAN, has identified no-inclusion of youths in the political, economic and social spheres of life as the major cause of incessant unrest in the country.
ADYAN, while joining the world to commemorate International Youth Day, identified non payment of Zakkat as well as political, economic and social exclusion of youths as major cause of violence in Nigeria.
ADYAN observed that including young people in the peace and security agenda of any society was key to building and sustaining peace.
The guest Lecturer at the occasion, Ustaz Moh’d-Kabir Ahmad Badawiy, said, “If Muslims pay their Zakkat regularly, poverty and insecurity will be wiped out of Nigeria in five years.”
Speaking at the 2017 International Youth Day Commemoration/Quiz and Qur’anic competition in Kaduna Sunday, Chairman, Northern States Council of ADYAN, Dr. Bashir Adeniyi Omipidan, said, “When youth are excluded from political, economic and social spheres and processes, it can be a risk factor for violence and violent forms of conflict.”
He stated that identifying and addressing the social exclusion of young people was a precondition for sustaining peace.
According to Dr. Omipidan, “The current generation of youth are the largest in history and young people often comprise the majority in countries marked by armed conflict or unrest, therefore considering the needs and aspirations of youth in matters of peace and security is a demographic imperative.
“The process of social inclusion for youth, including participation in decision-making as well as access to quality education, health care and basic services promotes their role as active contributors to society and affords young people with opportunities to reach their potential and achieve their goals.
“In Nigeria today, the theme of this year’s international youth day commemoration is very apt considering various agitations particularly that of Biafra and the threat issued by Arewa Youth that the Igbo people should leave the North.
“ADYAN Northern States Council hereby appeals to all to live in peace and harmony wherever we find ourselves as destiny brought us together and we must just accept same as the will of the Almighty Allah.
“It is important to therefore remind us all of some verses of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (saw) wherein Allah consistently emphasize the need to live together in peace and harmony while dissuading us from violence and tribalism.
“I hereby implore us as youth to always strive for the entrenchment of peace in the society. Prayer for the nation, recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari, support for FG anti corruption fight, no to tribalism and more support for youth.”
Meanwhile, Ustaz Badawiy identified payment of Zakkat by every eligible Muslim as panacea to security challenges in the country.
Badawiy said most of the crises and other security challenges bedeviling the country were linked to poverty.
He lamented that only about five per cent of eligible Muslims pay their Zakkat in Nigeria, while 95 per cent others lived under the illusion that they were not eligible because they were either salary earners or average business people.
The Islamic Scholar, however, charged all Muslims to seek further knowledge on the subject of Zakkat, so they could fulfill their religious obligation and in turn help wipe out poverty in the country.
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