On the 30^th March 2014, the Main Auditorium of the University of Lagos, Lagos Nigeria, a hall which hosts academic conferences and meetings of the University Community, hosted Ahmadiyya Muslim Community members, friends and well wishers to celebrate 125^th year anniversary of existence of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community converged on the hall under the auspices of its Lagos State branch to emphasize that the Messiah or Imam Mahdi whose advent is expected by all great religions of the world was indeed Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (as), the Holy Founder of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at.

The Promised Messiah’s Day conference which was presided over by the Amir Jama’at Nigeria, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola, a retired Senior Lecturer of Economics Department University of Lagos started with the recitation of Surah Jumu’ah of the Holy Qur’an by Muallim AbdulHakeem Obaditan and Poem of the Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) in praise of the Holy Prophet (saw) by Bro. Munawwar Ahmad and Hafiz Ismail Balogun

Amir Nigeria, Dr Mashhud Adenrele Fashola (middle), arriving at the ocassion

Missionary Abdul Hakeem Obaditan recited the Holy Qur’an

Missionary AbdulHakeem Obaditan reciting the Holy Quran

Munawwar Ahmad and Hafiz Ismail Balogun rendering Poem of the Promised Messiahas

The Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at for Lagos State, Missionary Muhammad Qasim Oyekola welcomed the guests to the occasion with the highlights of the Jama’at’s 125 years blessed and glorious global journey; the community’s journey in Nigeria  since 1916 and its progress and efforts in Lagos State in the areas of propagation of the true Islam and services to humanity.  He informed the guests that fifty-four branches of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are well established in Lagos State with over 100 mosques and prayers centers.

Missionary Muhammad Qasim Oyekola delivering his Welcome Address

In his keynote address, the Amir Nigeria underscores the need to reasonably analyze prophecies well to be able to have light through divine guidance. According to the Amir, “In understanding or digesting the prophecies concerning the advent of Promised Messiah, or the second Advent of Jesus Son of Mary, we need to note, or be guided by certain basic principles and issues…:

• Correct and Proper Interpretation of prophecies and scriptural terms
• Life and death of the Messiah, Jesus, Son of Mary
• The Relevance of Reason in Evaluation of Interpretations
• Manner of reformation and salvation of mankind
• Religious Controversies and the purpose of religion

“It is necessary therefore that all good and right thinking people come together and engage in peaceful dialogue towards the pursuit of truth and social justice and seeking the pleasure and Grace of God of all creation through righteousness and obedience to Him. We should ask questions about issues that are unclear in an atmosphere of love, humility and objectivity because heaven does not admit of falsehood, arrogance and pretence. God has promised heaven only to the righteous and the upright and not to the wicked and self-centered be he a Christian or a Muslim”, he concludes.

Amir Sahib Nigeria, Dr. Mashhud Fashola delivering his keynote address

Two main topics were discussed at the occasion: ‘The Prophecies of Second Advent of Son of Mary, The Promised Messiah and their fulfilment’ and ‘Moral, ethical and Spiritual Reformation of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah’. These topics were respectively taken by Barr. Rabiu Uthman, a Missionary of the Jama’at serving in Badagry division of Lagos State and Dr. Saheed Olurotimi Timehin, National Tabligh Secretary who is also a Arabic Lecturer at the Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University.

Barr. Muhammad Rabiu Uthman delivering his lecture

Dr. Saheed Timehin, National Tabligh Secretary delivering his lecture

The celebrations which lasted for about four hours were graced by about three thousand participants; among whom were members of Ahmadiyya Movement, those who seceded from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Nigeria. In attendance also were the Chief Imam of Mushin Community Central Mosque and representatives of United Muslim Council, Lagos State Branch.

The Imam of Ahmadiyya Movement Nigeria addressing the gathering

(Left to Right) Naib Amir Nigeria for Special Duties, Alh. Ahmed Al-Hassan; Missionary Incharge Nigeria, Maulana AbdulKhalique Nayyar; Fmr. Military Administrator Ogun State Nigeria, Maj. Gen. Seidu Balogun (rtd); Chief Imam Mushin Lagos Community Central Mosque, Alh. Sulaiman Olayemi Olanijo; Amir Nigeria, Alh. Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola; Naib Amir South West Nigeria, Alh. AbdulAzeez Alatoye; National Tabligh Secretary, Dr. Saheed Timehin

Amir Sahib Nigeria presenting a copy of Invitation to Ahmadiyya and other books to a Senior Officer at the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Alhaji AbdulFatah Abiola Oladejo during the Anniversary

The Audience

Ladies in the Upper Section

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