Date: 2017-04-17

Several years after the idea of Muhammad Kamaldeen University, an offshoot of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, was mooted and some structures put in place for the realization of the project, the proposed institution is yet grappling to begin operation. AHMED 'LATEEF reports on the outcome of the 75th anniversary of the organization held in Ilorin on Saturday.

One of the reverences Ilorin as a city relishes today is its insatiable quest for knowledge and wisdom. The ancient town is divinely blessed and venerated among its contemporaries as one stop city with spiritual guidance.

Many impeccable oral accounts also attest to the sophistication of the town in terms of spirituality unlike its peers, thus people in the heyday in pursuit of wisdom and spiritual help were encouraged to visit the city to meet their needs.

The city admirably referred to as "Geri Alimi", succinctly means "City of Scholars", and has continued to be noted for such enviable height.

Apart from Sheik Solihu Janta (known as Sheik Alimi), the sobriquet given to him because of his divine gift of knowledge and spiritual guidance, other scholars in the city included late Sheik (s) Solagberu, Ahmad Ikokoro and Taju Li- Adabiy among others. These notable characters were perhaps first generation of scholars, who bestrode scholarship in their lifetime like colossus.

Some of the scholars, who emerged later were Sheik Muhammad Kamaldeen Habeebullahi Al-Adabiy, founder of Ansarul-Islam Society of Nigeria and Sheik Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilorin.

The above scholars made incontrovertible contributions to scholarship in their individual capacity, and this brought them to the limelight as leading light in the assemblage of scholarship across the globe.

In order not to allow divine knowledge and wisdom die with them, some of them, who did not restrict themselves to spiritual ability, established Arabic schools in line with their conviction that worldly pursuit was tantamount to nullity.

Some of these scholars perceived quest for western education as misnomer and should be discouraged in its entirety. The belief, perhaps, was that it was capable of derailing their mission and stymied propagation of Islamic doctrines.

While the belief lasted, one of the scholars, Sheik Muhammad Kamaldeen Habeebullahi Al-Adabiy (of blessed memory), was strongly convinced that it was in the interest of a better society to marry Islamic education with western education to serve as a pivot.

There was initial skepticism as to the lifespan of such adventure in view of Ilorin city largely populated by renowned Islamic scholars and Muslims.

However, the establishment of Ansarul-Islam Society of Nigeria in 1942 by the prominent cleric was the foundation to realize the merger. It consequently gave birth to the establishment of Ansarul Islam schools both in Primary and Secondary categories in some parts of the country where students were being taught Western and Islamic education.

The feat laid to rest the initial criticism that trailed the idea as to whether it will come to reality or turn a mirage.

In view of the commitment and leading role played by the founder, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt honoured him while University of Ilorin followed suit in quick succession.

Not done with was considered little achievement, the late Muhammad Kamaldeen went further when he conceived the idea of building a University.

Although the institution, which was sited along Ogidi Road, Ilorin started before his demise few years ago, it has remained herculean to see the project to completion.

A visit to the proposed University campus showed that the premises was adorned with structures and other facilities but it has not met the benchmark set by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to enable it obtain requisite license to commence as a full fledge University. One of the factors known to be an albatross to the take-off of the institution was funding.

Little wonder the National Missioner of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, Sheik Abdulmumin Ayara, at the event commemorating the 49th Delegate's Conference and 75th anniversary of the Islamic organization in Ilorin on Saturday, said the University was conceived not knowing that it would take time to realize.

He noted that funding remained a major factor that has caused setback to the realization of the project and urged well meaning Muslims to support the project.

"When our late founder conceived this project (Muhammad Kamaldeen University), we did not know it will remain a dream up till now. We have made spirited effort to see the project to completion so that academic activities can commence.

"But in all honesty, we have been incapacitated. Our inability to see the project to the end since all these years was because of funding. We tried all we could but no means of funding to see us through the license stage and other things needed for us to start".

The cleric applauded late Waziri of Ilorin, Dr Olusola Saraki and the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, for their individual efforts to see to the completion of the project.

He said those the Senate President delegated to assist in the project have played exemplary role and pleaded with Saraki to continue to support the proposed University.

In his speech, the National President of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Sulaiman Layiwola Afolabi, who went down memory lane, said the organization among others, was established to propagate Islam and encourage adult education.

He, however, urged stakeholders and lovers of education to assist the Society in the bid to bring the realization of the University to fruition.

"The essential aims and objectives of the Society were to propagate Islam and preach its beauty to all Muslims and non Muslims, encourage unity among Muslims and Muslim organizations, to encourage adult education, Da'wah etc.

"The members followed the humility and tolerance of its founder by being humble and tolerant in their ways of life. The followers of the Society were noted for peace and endurance. The Society started propagating the religion of Islam through preaching and establishment of Islamiyyah schools (both Arabic and western education). The Society built its first voluntary primary school in Ilorin in 1947.

"At this juncture, permit me to call on individuals, groups, corporate organizations, religious groups, lovers of education and government at different tiers to please come to our aid in the realization of Muhammad Kamaldeen University. With the commitment of well wishers, it is our prayer that soonest, the proposed University will in Sha Allah see the light of the day".

Speaking at the ceremony where he was also turbaned as Baba Adini of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, the President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, assured of his commitment to see to the completion of the proposed University.

He said the project was precious to him and would do all he could to bring the lofty dream of late Sheik Kamaldeen to reality.

Saraki, who eulogized the vision of late founder, said the project was one of the legacies left behind by the scholar.

He said the cleric was passionate about education, the urge which prompted him to start the proposed varsity. The Senate President, who noted that the project was a huge task, said it was his desire to commission the University soon.

He congratulated the leadership of Ansarul Islam group on the anniversary, saying the society has attained an enviable height.

At the ceremony, the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Hajia Sinatu Aderoju Ojikutu, was also installed as Iya Adini of the society.

The event, which held at the open field of the proposed University, was attended by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu-Gambari; Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad; a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje; Khalifah Al-Adabiy, Sheik Ahmad Olayiwola Kamaldeen and other eminent personalities.