By Bilesanmi Abayomi
As Nigeria grapples with economic challenges, particularly ahead of the 2024 annual Ramadan expected to commence on March 10 or 11, attention has shifted to the affluent Muslim community. Amidst social media’s recent viral post, urging wealthy Muslims to redirect their resources towards charitable deeds, the call for solidarity in the face of national hardship has resonated deeply.
The post, circulating widely on social media platforms, advocates for a shift in focus away from sponsoring lavish Ramadan programs on radio and television. Instead, it implores affluent Muslims to allocate their funds towards feeding the less fortunate, highlighting the pressing need for immediate relief amidst escalating economic difficulties.
In a poignant plea, the post urges against extravagant displays of wealth, such as sponsoring individuals for Hajj pilgrimages, emphasizing that resources should be directed towards addressing the immediate needs of impoverished families. Proposing an alternative use for the average cost of a Hajj sponsorship, the post suggests empowering 60 families with financial assistance, providing each household with N100,000.
The call for philanthropy echoes sentiments expressed by Imam Alli Bolaji Atunrase during a recent Friday Jumat service at the NASFAT Islamic Centre in Ota Ona annex. The respected scholar urged congregants to proactively combat hunger and poverty by purchasing food items for distribution within their community, underscoring the urgency of addressing prevailing socio-economic challenges.