COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE ALEF DA’WAH SUMMIT 2023

BEING A COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE TWO-DAY DA’WAH SUMMIT ORGANIZED BY AMANA LEGACY FOUNDATION, HELD AT HOME VILLE HOTEL & SUITES, G.R.A, BENIN CITY ON SATURDAY 16^TH AND SUNDAY 17^TH, 2023

The Da’wah Summit, which had its theme, “Expanding the Frontiers of Da’wah in Modern Times”, was well attended by reputable Islamic Scholars within Edo State and other parts of Nigeria, including Muslim Traditional Rulers, past and present leaderships of Muslim men and women Islamic organizations in Edo State, opinion leaders and socioeconomic influencers – all converged for a common purpose of reevaluating the past, present and redefining the future of Islamic Da’wah practices in Edo State with the aim of proffering solution to age-long problems like apostasy, inadequate welfare strategies for Islamic/Da’wah works, unsystematic revert support scheme and lack of effective and efficient dialogue among the Ulama/Scholars on better ways to work for sustainable and progressive future.

Consequently, the maiden edition of the ALEF Da’wah Summit had Alh. Musa Sule as Chairman of the occasion, HRH, Alh. Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe III, the Otaru of Auchi Sacred Kingdom as Distinguished Guest of Honour (represented), HRH, Alh. Kelvin Aidonogie, Oba Danesi II, the Aidonogie of South-Ibie, as Special Guest of Honour, HRH, Alh. Mallam Ali Sulaiman, the Ogiaga of the Three-Ibie, as Special Guest of Honour, Barr. Umar Musa Ikhilor, Executive Director, Amana Legacy Foundation, as Chief Host,

The Summit also had Shaykh Nurudeen Lemu, OON, as a lead speaker and panel discussant, Shaykh Zafaran Adeniyi, CEO/Chairman of the Management Board at Vanguard Academy, Ogun State as guest lecturer, Barr. Nurudeen Asunogie, Former National President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, as a guest lecturer, Shaykh Abdurahman Isa Alufa, current Director of the School of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Afikpo, as a guest lecturer, Shaykh Sadique Zakariyyah Oboh, President/Founder of Da’wah Movement/Enlightenment Forum (DMEF), as a guest lecturer, Edo State Amirah of FOMWAN, Professor Abdulrazzaq A. Alaro, as a Chaiman of one of the panel sessions, and a host of other reputable fathers, mothers and brothers and sisters representing various Islamic organizations and communities in Edo State and Nigeria at large.

Besides, the Summit included the formal opening of the ALEF Da’wah and Revert Centre at Omigie Street, off Ojo Street, off Adolor College Road, Ugbowo, Benin City. The event also had five unique sessions scheduled for day 1 and day 2 with in-depth analysis of the past, present, and future challenges and strategies to curtail perceived challenges within the control of man. The After painstaking and exhaustive deliberations on the various topics and emerging issues of the summit, the following resolutions were made:

1. That Islam in Edo State had its past golden ages handed over to the present generation of Muslims that must be sustained jealously and improved upon. To achieve this broad objective, Muslims in the state need better, and more comprehensive as well as functional education that connects to Allah and propels them to live a life of sacrifice and selflessness in the service to Allah and that of humanity to attain paradise.
2. That there is a need to redefine, reorganize and re-strategize Da’wah approaches and methodologies used in Edo State including higher institutions of learning towards achieving Da’wah efficiency and effectiveness.
3. For better and sustainable results in our Da’wah fronts, there is a need for a rebut and positive competitive Da’wah, building positive synergies, effective collaborations and promotion of the culture of cooperation, tolerance, forgiveness, mutual understanding and most importantly, prioritization of the Deen over personal interest(s) or worldly gain.
4. That functional education is fundamental to reforming and improving societies. Thus, Muslims are once again reminded to seek functional education to do better in their various areas of endeavors including Da’wah and its connectivity. 
5. That there is a need for effective and efficient interfaith cooperation and harmonious relationships. This is a need to foster peaceful and harmonious coexistence among people of other faiths.
6. That looking back to the level of damage done to Islam as a result of weak efforts at championing active Da’wah in Edo State, the Summit advocated and recommended that there is an urgent need to revive, restore and promote sustainable Da’wah, especially in the local and rural areas in Edo State and by extension Nigeria.
7. That economic power plays a vital role in Da’wah management and sustainability. Thus, it was resolved that Da’wah managers should make and adopt effective and sustainable economic and social policies geared toward decent income generations such as projects, contracts, business, research works, and consultancy services amongst other means.
8. That the family represents the first and most important unit of a society. The Summit resolved that parents and guardians should strive to imbibe Islamic culture in their homes to build ideal Islamic homes. This can be achieved through home modelling by the Quran and Sunnah of our Prophet (SAW). Parents or caregivers should become role models; they should build trust and confidence through love and harmonious relationships at home.
9. That there is a need for improved and collaborative efforts at building skills, and competence through structured education and an economic welfare system dedicated to helping Da’wah workers (Du’aat, Ulama, Imams and Mallams) to be resourceful, creative and reliable in the discharge of the message of Islam.
10.  That respect will naturally come to the Muslims if they absolutely put their trust in Allah blended with hard work and professionalization. Thus, the Muslims do not have to ask the Government for Hajj slots, Salah rams, and Ramadan milk rather, the Government will have to look for Muslims for its programmes and activities. 
11.  That the ALEF Da’wah and Revert Centre has become an operational base for the training and capacity building of Da’wah workers as well as new reverts.
12. Lastly, the Summit noted that peace and unity are paramount for sustainable development. Thus, efforts geared towards ensuring peace and stability must be intensified always.