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| Imam Fuad Adeyemi, founder of the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society |
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| Participants of faith and philanthropy Interactive session |
KADUNA—Imam Fuad Adeyemi, founder of the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, has called on religious communities to use their teachings on faith and philanthropy to become self-sufficient and drive development in Nigeria. Adeyemi made the remarks during a recent interactive session in Kaduna, stating that a decline in foreign aid makes it essential for faith-based organizations to harness their internal resources.
"Today, foreign aid is shrinking. We are no longer getting there," Adeyemi said. "The question now is how do we use our religious teaching to raise funds and to make our lives better for ourselves."
According to the Imam, structured giving within churches and mosques can empower communities to provide services that are traditionally the government's responsibility. "If we are able to structure what we have well, we might not need government for anything," he stated, citing examples such as education, road construction, electricity, and water provision.
Imam Fuad Adeyemi also highlighted the importance of inter-faith cooperation. He noted a historical precedent of cooperation between faiths, referencing the early Christian community from Najran who met with the Prophet Muhammad and the Charter of Medina, which included Muslims, Christians, Jews, and other groups.
He stressed that collaboration does not require conversion but rather mutual support to strengthen each other's charitable work.
A key part of the discussion focused on the Islamic concept of waqf, a permanent charitable endowment. Adeyemi expressed concern that many Muslims misunderstand waqf, confusing it with a simple one-time donation (sadaqa). He explained that waqf is a more sustainable form of giving that provides continuous benefit to the community.
Imam Fuad then announced that Al-Habibiyyah is working on a new program to educate people on how to properly structure and manage these endowments for long-term impact.
On his part, the chairman of CAN for the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory is Reverend Joseph John Hayab stressed the need for individuals to "be rich in humanity, to be rich in kindness, to be rich in supporting people."
He criticized those who accumulate wealth but fail to assist their communities, stating that a truly wealthy person is one whose neighbors are not in need. He highlighted the importance of a structured approach to giving, suggesting that individuals and religious institutions have a key role to play in alleviating hunger and poverty.
The chairman praised the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society for their community feeding program during Ramadan, which provides daily meals to thousands of people regardless of their religion or ethnicity. He pointed to this initiative as a model for how faith-based organizations can serve the broader community.
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