A lecturer at University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Tajudeen Olalekan-Yusuf, says Muslim faithful in the country should view Islam as a religion synonymous with peace and panacea for national integration, not extremism.
Olalekan-Yisuf, a Guest Lecturer, gave the advice on Monday at the 2nd Ramadan Lecture organised by the Muslim Community of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, in Ondo State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture was titled: “National Intergaration and World Peace”: “The Islamic Approach”
Olalekan-Yusuf, in the Department of Actuarial Science and Insurance, Faculty of Management Sciences, UNILAG, said the moral-spiritual motives arising from Islamic teachings could complement legal and institutional approaches to peace building.
The don said Islam, with its ethical reservoir accumulated from previous revelations, was uniquely equipped to bring peace and security to humanity.
According to him, the word “Islam” shares its root with salaam (peace), which is not coincidental because the Qur’an consistently presents peace as the norm and war as the exception.
“And if they incline to peace, then incline to it and rely upon Allah (Qur’an 8:61).
“Allah invites to the Home of Peace and guides whom He wills to a straight path (Qur’an 10:25). And Allah does not love corruption (Qur’an 2:205),” he quoted.
Olalekan-Yusuf also noted that important research demonstrated that conflicts often appeared religious, but the underlying causes were frequently political, economic, or social.
“A comprehensive study of sectarian conflict in Egypt and Bosnia found that in most cases, religious motives have been shown to be interwoven with other political, economic, cultural, and social factors whose historical roots vary over time.
“This understanding is crucial. If we misdiagnose conflict as purely religious, we prescribe the wrong remedies.
“We must address the political grievances, economic inequalities, and social injustices that fuel conflicts, while simultaneously promoting authentic religious understanding.
“The Islamic approach to national integration and world peace is not a utopian dream. It was realised in Medina, practiced for centuries in Muslim lands and it is possible today,” the don said.
He, however, urged Muslim faithful to use the Ramadan period to reflect on Islamic teachings of mercy, forgiveness and solidarity with the poor and hungry.
The lecturer also said Ramadan was hinged on peace and spiritual discipline, which transformed character to engender national integration.
“It requires wisdom to distinguish between timeless principles and time-bound applications.
“It requires compassion to see the face of Allah in every human being and it requires action to translate belief into behavior and theory into practice,” Olalekan-Yusuf said.
Earlier, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, OAUSTECH Vice-Chancellor (VC), enjoined people of different faith to understand and live true to teachings of their various religion.
Ologunorisa, represented by Prof. Dipo Akomolafe, OAUSTECH’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), also urged tolerance among followers of different religion
“Try to tolerate and live with others peacefully, because sustainable development can only take place where peace exists,” he said.
The VC also commended the OAUSTECH Muslim Community and urged them to sustain the peace and brotherly love exhibited, while assuring of the university’s continuous support.
NAN also reports that presentation of awards highlighted the lecture attended by religious scholars, university students, lecturers, staffers and the public.