Almajiri System, Unislamic, Says Sultan

By John Shiklam in Kaduna

The President-General of Jema’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and  Sultan of Sokoto , Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday  declared that the Almajiri system as being practised today is unislamic.

Almajiri is a system where some parents send young children to distance places to learn the Qur’an but end up as beggars and street urchins, especially in the North.  

Speaking while  presiding over the pre-Ramadan meeting of JNI’s Central Committee in Kaduna, the Sultan  said  almajiri does not represent Islam but hunger and poverty.

According to him, almajiri was among the issues to be discussed at the meeting, because “it does not represent Islam, but hunger and poverty. 

“Almajiri system of begging is not representing Islam and must therefore be distinguished from Islam. Islam encourages scholarship and entrepreneurship and frowns at laziness and idleness as exemplified by itinerant almajiri.

 “Therefore, attempt must be made to stop the practice almajiri system of begging among Muslim faithfuls,” the Sultan  said.

While noting that hunger and poverty are responsible for children begging on the streets, the Sultan charged the government, particularly at the state level to prioritise welfare of their indigenes to address hunger and poverty.

He said the meeting is held annually to set modalities and guidelines for moon sighting and the general conduct of  Muslims  during the month of Ramadan.

According to the Sultan,  the meeting would also discuss issues affecting Muslims and Islam in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

He charged state governments to strengthen the institution of ‘Zakkat’ and endowment to address wanton poverty.

The meeting, which held at the national secretariat of the JNI in Kaduna, was attended by Muslim traditional rulers and Islamic scholars.