By Umar Mohammed
The first week of the month of March 2022, will remain memorable in the minds of the people of Zamfara State and entire Nigeria for the successful hosting of over three million people for the 36th edition of Shiekh Ibrahim Nyass Maulud celebration.
The courage of the Zamfara state government to host the annual event was clear indication that the issue of insecurity might have gone for good, or, at least, or reduced to barest minimum.
Since Thursday, the 3rd of March, Muslims of Tijjaniya sect from across the Country trooped to the Zamfara State capital city of Gusau from all major roads leading to into the state.
Indeed, the visitors were not limited to Nigerians, delegations from other countries such as Mali, Senegal, Niger and Ethiopia also attended the maulud celebration.
Hitherto, the general impression and perception of many people in Nigeria was Zamfara state was no go area in terms of Security. Travellers and motorists coming to Zamfara or passing through the state were doing it with intense fear and apprehension.
This year’s hosting of the maulud had clearly displayed the positive result of the Govenor Bello Matawalle peace initiative as, throughout the period of the maulud celebration, there was no record of attack on the major roads or villages and towns. The celebration was hitch-free and a recorded success.
The Zamfara state government had, in collaboration with the leadership of the state wing of the Tijjaniya sect, earlier formed several committees for the successful conduct of the maulud celebration.
The committees worked round the clock for the success of the event. In one of his visit to the site of the event, the Deputy Governor, Sen. Hassan Mohammed Gusau reiterated the determination of the state government to provide conducive atmosphere for the successful event.
The Deputy Governor observed that the successful hosting of the Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass maulud in Zamfara state would serve as an indication that peace has returned to the state.
He said already reports reaching the state Government indicated that, followers of Tijjaniya sect within the country and beyond had indicated their readiness to grace the occasion.
“We have to get prepared for the unprecedented crowd coming to the state for the maulud celebration from within and outside Nigeria”.
The occasion also provided a forum where delegates prayed for sustainable peace to prevail across Zamfara State, the Country and Africa at large.
Governor Bello Matawalle, at the closing session of Makon Shehu (Shehu’s Week) which preceded the Maudud day, featured as a special event in continuation with the series of activities marking the All-Africa Maulud of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass also called for sustained prayers for peace and progress of the State and the nation at large.
Governor Bello Matawalle who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy Senator Hassan Muhammad Gusau conveyed the confidence of the Government and good people of Zamfara State that such a rare gathering of peace-loving eminent personalities is a blessing to the host community. He added that each of the guests is trusted to have individually come with passionate prayer that may Allah make oeace prevail sufficiently for the host community, that may the State realize the much needed atmosphere of peace, social justice, and food security.
Senator Hassan Muhammad Gusau also assured the visiting contingents that they are highly welcomed to the peace-loving agrarian Zamfara State and counted on their prayers for Allah’s intervention as the souvenir they came along with in their hearts for the people of Zamfara State.
As it was, Friday evening was set for the closing ceremony of the extra-ordinary Makon Shehu (Shehu’s Week) sessions.
In a further explanation on ‘Makon Shehu (Shebu’s Week), the Secretary of the Maulud Main Organizing Committee Dr. Nuroo Atiku Balarabe Zawuiyya said it is a special programme slated for series of lectures and paper presentations for public awareness and guidance aimed at proper enlightenment on the contributions of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass in the development of Islamic education and propagation and the promotion of the spirit of love of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallal-Lahu Alaihim wa Sallam) across the African continent and also globally.
The Deputy Governor used the medium in the wake of the prevailing situation to reveal that the State Government is highly optimistic that sponsoring of this year’s Maulud of Shiekh Ibrahim Inyass would yield fruitful results through special prayers offered by millions of people that attended it.
Senator Hassan Muhammad, while urging the congregation for intensification of prayers for sustainable peace and security in the State and Nigeria as a whole, re-assured all the visitors of the State Government’s commitment of providing adequate security throughout the Sheikh Inyass Maulud period and beyond.
The leader of the Tijjaniya sect in Nigeria and former emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi 11 during courtesy visit to Govenor Bello Matawalle emphasised on the importance of the Nyass birthday celebration and the maulud amongst the Tijjaniya followers world over.
He expressed appreciation to the Zamfara state government for the sponsorship of the annual anniversary in the state with huge commitment and responsibility.
The Tijjaniya Khalifa called for more unity and dedication in the search for religious knowledge for a better understanding of the religion.
In his address to the teeming celebrants, Governor Bello Matawalle advocated for a unity among Nigerian Muslim ummah.
Governor Matawalle said the ceremony, which holds on annual basis, is another avenue where Muslins across the world gather to praise Allah and his messenger, Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
According to the Governor, this year’s Maulud, which attracted hundreds of thousands of people into Zamfara state where everyone was engaged in prayer and praises to Allah (SWT), is what the state needs at this moment of its trials.
“I will not hesitate to grant the hosting of next year’s Maulud if requested by the organising committee”, Governor Matawalle enthused. He called on all participants at the Maulud ground to dedicate their energy in fervent prayer for peace and unity of our country.
The occasion witnessed the turbaning of the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi 11 as the Grand Patron and leader of the Tijjaniyya sect in Nigeria, a position his grand father, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi 1 held until his demise in the early 1980s.
In his acceptance speech, Muhammadu Sanusi 11 assured the sect in Nigeria that he will exert all that it takes from him to move his followers to progress.
The occasion was attended by hundreds of thousands of Tijjaniyya sect followers from across the World under the chairmanship of the World Tijjaniyya sect leader, Sheikh Muhammad Mahi Nyass.
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