Club Seventies; Ramadan Lecture: Scholar Explains Islam Position On Social Associations’ Membership

• Government must be fair in discharging justice on cultism-related issues – Sanuth

By Babatunde Kaka

Cleric and scholar Alhaji AbdulBari Ajilogba, Chief Ajanosi of Epe Kingdom, says Islam is not against joining clubs and associations, stressing that being a member of such social groups has immense benefits.

Ajilogba made this known at the annual Ramadan Lecture of Club Seventies Epe on Saturday 24th April 2021 which took place at the Club House situated along Ita-Marun, Epe-Ijebu-Ode Expressway.

Ajilogba who delivered a lecture on the propriety or otherwise of social clubs and societies membership emphasized the position of Islam on the subject.

Ajilogba noted that Islam goes beyond observing the five pillars only, stating that the nature of man is such that permits association or alliance with a group as opposed to being isolated or secluded from his fellow humans irrespective of the circumstances he might find himself.

” Islam does not prohibit joining a club as long as the motives for establishment are in tandem with the dictates of Islam. NASFAT, AUD, Epe Club and the likes have motives behind their creation for several benefits some of which include growth, charity, character development and so on”, he said

Stating that it was important for members to strictly adhere to guiding principles, codes and ethics of clubs, he also disclosed that the hallmarks of membership of the clubs are basically to socialize to offer help to those in need to succeed in their life’s endeavours while having the fear of Almighty Allah.
He urged members of the club to become indivisible entity to protect the integrity of both members and the club.

Speaking in an interview with Ekohotblog after the lecture, the Club President, Mr Sanuth Ibrahim Adesegun, described the lecture topic as a necessity based on the fact that the public is ill-informed about the benefits inherent in belonging to clubs, societies and associations. He noted that drinking, dancing, relaxing, leisure and fun times are nothing compared to the huge advantages.

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” A lot of people think Clubbing is meant for socials, just to drink, wine and dine. We want people to know that it goes beyond that. It encourages welfare development, collective and individual impacts on society. This is in line with what the Holy Books, the Quran and the Bible, says that it is more beneficial to associate with groups rather than being isolated “, he said.

Speaking further, Mr Sanuth expressed gratitude to the Almighty Allah for a pandemic free 2021 Ramadan fasting. He thereafter highlighted the social impacts of the club on the Epe community since its inception which includes welfare projects in health centres, empowerment projects for the unemployed, COVID palliative distribution, youth seminars amongst many others.

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Sanuth also implored parents, religious houses to enlighten and sensitise people on the dangers of cultism to the youths. He decried the spate of fraternal killings which he said stemmed from erosion of family values and the desire to protect family name and integrity in the larger society.

On the need for a paradigm shift towards tackling the menace head-on, he stressed the importance of education and empowerment.

” If we can educate them, orientate them and provide them with empowerment so that they’ll think right.
Government can’t solve the problem alone, clubs, societies, political groups need to talk tough to them. To a large extent, they need prayers. The religious houses, either the Church or Mosque, needs to focus on morals away from success preachings”, he stated.

He urged the government to be impartial in discharging justice rather than treating those guilty with kid gloves based on connections or political affiliation. This, he said, will serve as a deterrent to others.

Reacting to the coming Local Government elections scheduled to hold in July, while Mr Sanuth urged the electorates to vote for the best candidate, he also admonished the Political Elites to carefully allow the emergence of highly cerebral candidate capable of accelerating the growth and development of communities in Epe to compete favourably with other local governments in Lagos State.

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