The Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society on Saturday expressed concern over what it called a decline in the global philanthropic funding, and urged faith-based and charitable organizations in Nigeria to develop a coordinated, self-sustaining system of charity to support the poor and vulnerable in society.
The body equally called for a synergy with relevant government agencies in identifying the vulnerable groups through accurate data and support government’s efforts on poverty alleviation.
Speaking at an inter-faith sensitization workshop on philanthropy held in Ibadan, Oyo State, the National Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Imam Fuad Adeyemi, whose remarks were delivered by the Project Coordinator of the Al-Habibiyyah Interfaith Interaction on Philanthropy, Ibrahim Idris, emphasized the need for synergy between religious bodies and relevant government agencies in identifying and supporting the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.
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According to him, with the global donor fund for philanthropy shrinking, there is a growing need for faith-based organizations to look inward, reflect, and share resources to continue their humanitarian and developmental efforts.
“It well known to those in the development and humanitarian sectors that the global fund for philanthropy is shrinking.
“This therefore makes us begin to look inward for resources for our activities, humanitarian efforts. It is in this background that this initiative became necessary that we must come together and share ideas and experiences on how faith -based organizations can reflect , review and look inward in raising resources for developmental and humanitarian activities
“We need deliberate interventions through whatever way that is permissible to raise funds to achieve our objectives,” he said.
The event, supported by the MacArthur Foundation, brought together Christian and Muslim leaders to deliberate on the teachings of their respective religions on giving and to strategize on building sustainable structures for community support.
Consultant to the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society on Faith and Philanthropy, Dr. Lukman Adefolahan, emphasized the need for structured, impactful, and sustainable giving.
He encouraged partnerships between NGOs and government agencies to accurately identify and reach the most vulnerable.
Adefolahan also called on private organizations to take their corporate social responsibilities seriously in the collective fight against poverty.
In his remarks, Rev. Dr. Elisha Ogundiya, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State Chapter, urged Christians to give cheerfully and out of love, citing 2 Corinthians 9:7 to stress that giving should be heartfelt, not done under compulsion.
Also speaking at the workshop, Professor Afeez Oladosu, a Professor of Islamic and Arabic Studies at the University of Ibadan, encouraged Nigerians to support one another during these difficult times, reminding attendees that hard times do not last forever.
He warned faith-based leaders against mismanaging funds entrusted to them, noting that tithes, offerings, zakat, and sadaqah collected in religious spaces should be channeled to those in genuine need.
” Faith based organizations are usually led by pastors and imams who usually collect tithes and offerings in Christianity and zadakat and zakat in Islam on behalf of God but the poor who are in dire need of these interventions often do not get to see them,” he said.
Oladosu also advised religious and non-governmental organizations to narrow their focus to specific intervention areas rather than trying to cover too many issues at once.
Another discussant, Bishop Daniel Olujimade urged both adherent of the two religions to engage in fervent prayers observing that the current dwindling global fund for philanthropy is an a device of the devil
He charged parents to train and teach their children on the need to give back to the society if blessed with financial resources by God
A participant, Pastor ( Dr) Ayodeji Olaopa from Christ Apostolic Church Supreme Council, described the program as instructive and educative.
According to him, participants have a better stance on how to run an NGO in assisting the downtrodden in the society.
Similarly, an Islamic scholar, Iman Adnan Raji Adebayo, Founder, Al-Abrar Dawah Forum also lauded the initiative assuring that what was learnt will be made use of in the humanitarian activities of his organization.
