Meeting of Meeting held at Edenderry

Asalamu Alaikum Waramatullahi Wabarakatuhu.

Minutes of our deliberation at the general meeting of the Nigeria Muslims council of Ireland held at the Mosque hall of Edenderry Muslim Charity Organization, Edenderry on 22 May, 2010.
In Attendance;
Bro. Abdul Ganiyu .A Asubiaro------Raodotul soliheen Islam, Drogheda
Bro. Rasaq Idris------------------------Athlone Muslim Congress
Bro. Kunle Yusuf----------------------Athlone Muslims Congress
Bro Shabakiyu Sanusi-----------------Athlone Muslims Congress
Bro Abdul Lateef Ishola--------------Athlone Muslims Congress
Bro Ganiyu Badmus-------------------Jamat Islamiyyah Drogheda
Bro Razak A Yusuf--------------------Edenderry Muslim Organization
Bro Adewale Mustapha---------------Edenderry Muslim Organization
Bro Olajide Moses Ogunse—--------Edenderry Muslim Charity Organization
Bro Monsuru.Somide------------------Dawah Islamic group Tallaght
Bro Kazeem Ogunbambi--------------Raodatu Soliheen Islam
Bro. Babs Akintoye---------------------Jamat Islamiyyah Drogheda
Bro. Maroof Bello----------------------Alkunfayakun prayer group, Waterford
Bro. Abdul Lateef Alausa-------------Muslat Dublin
Bro. Oladiti Olaniyi Munir—---------Alkunfayakun prayer group, Waterford
Bro Abdul-Lateef Owalaye—--------Alkunfayakun prayer group, Waterford
Alfa Mojeed.A.Usamot---------------Anur Muslim Organization Navan
Bro. Nuruddeen Busairi---------------Alkufayakun prayer group, Waterford
Bro. Bashir Braimoh------------------Alkunfayakun prayer group, Waterford
Bro. Luqman Onanuga----------------Muslim association forum Dublin, Ireland
Bro Abdul waheed Olateju------------Dublin Clodakin
Mal. Abdullahi Akeem Ahmed—----Alkunfayakun prayer group, Waterford
Sis. Anota Bankole---------------------Raodatu Soliheen-Islam
Sis. Kehinde Adeyemo----------------Raodatu Soliheen-Islam
Sis.Kafilat Ajani------------------------Edenderry Muslim charity Organization.

Apology of absence from:
Bro Hafeez Jimoh
Dundalk representatives
Agenda of our Deliberation.
Opening Dua’a
Citation from the Holy Quran
Reading minute of the last meeting
Mater Arising/Adoption of the minutes
Briefing from the local assemblies on code of conduct
Visitation of Muslim Association of UK to Ireland
Submission of yearly programmes/calendar of local assemblies
Issue on women and marriage
Peace and reconciliation committee report.


The meeting started later than the 1.oopm scheduled time due to the perpetual lateness on the side of the members and the non formation of Quorum by those who came much earlier. At 2.oopm when it was noticed that Quorum had been formed, the co-ordinator declared the meeting started and called on Bro.Shabakiyu Sanusi to offer the opening Dua’a. (Bro Babs presided over the meeting due to the unavoidable reason by Bro Hafeez).
Citation from the Holy Quran. This was done by Bro Monsur Somide
Reading Minutes of the last meeting. -The reading was done initially by Bro.Luqman Onanuga for reason of lateness on the side of the secretary but as soon as he came in and settled down he took over from Bro.Onanuga who was mid-way into it.
Matter Arising-
Bro. Babs - Suggested that before going ahead we should quickly introduce ourselves to enable those coming for the first time get acquainted with the usual. He started it and went round everyone present including the women that were in attendance.
Bro. Nurudeen Busariri- Clarifying a statement credit to Al-kunfayakun which he was quoted to have said in the minute of the last meeting concerning the continual membership of his group in IMCI and the resolving of Alhaji Shehu’s Issue. He said it is the general view of all those present at the meeting and not that of Al-kunfayakun as it been noted.
Bro Luqman Onanuga - Said the last statement credited to him in the observation section of the last meeting wasn’t his but that of someone else therefore should be corrected.
With no one raising any issue regarding the last meeting, Bro. Abdul-Ganiyu Asubiaro called for the adoption of the minutes while been seconded by Bro. Kunle Yusuf.
Briefs/views from local assemblies on code of conduct.
Bro.Kazeem Ogunbambi.- Reported that haven gone through the document, he observed that the vision and mission of the organization which should have appeared as a separate statement, standing out on it own wasn’t included in the code of conduct, but Bro. Babs quickly drew his attention to the area of aim and objectives where the vision and mission of the organization was scrambled and pleaded that it would be made to stand out on it own as its been pointed out by the observer, he went ahead to say since it is a general view we are trying to collate, the code of conduct should be allowed be read out aloud to the hearing of every one present for a genuine contribution from members, he also seized the opportunity to tell the house that the address that is presently been in use is temporary pending the time we would be concluding the process of registration and importantly when the executive would be constituted to legitimately assume the responsibility of stirring the affairs of the organization.
Bro. Kunle Yusuf. - Pointed out that the acronyms of the organization should be N M C of Ireland instead of N MC as it’s been stated under name section of the code of conduct.
Bro. Olajide Moses Ogunse.- Questioned the two years tenure of office as it’s been stipulated in the code of conduct and would want to know the rationale behind such stipulation, if it is in line with the sharia law. At this point the coordinator of the meeting sorted for opinions on the issue which made Bro.Abdul Ganiyu Asubiaro to respond that the two years tenure fixed for every office was deliberately done to test the sensibilities of members, wake them up, so as to make contribution, that though it is not in line with sharia law, but if we are to follow the sharia law, it is only when an office holder is ill, dead or got an advance position that he or she could relinquish office.
Bro.Nurudeen Busairi.- Said judging from the views of the last speaker, does it mean there is going to be zoning in allocating positions in order to have equitable distribution of responsibilities, more so after the expiration of tenure and such person is found still needed to continue in office by reason of quality leadership dispositions, would not be given opportunity to re-contest if possible. Asubiaro responded and clarified that what he meant is all about giving position to those tested and found to possess the potentials fit for such offices.
Bro.Adewale Mustapha - Contributed that if we are to go by the two years tenure of office, it would only limit people with certain intellectual abilities; this might denied the organization the professional contribution of such person.
Bro. Kunle Yusuf - Said though he found nothing wrong with the two years tenure as earlier proposed, he cited an instance that what happen if in the cause of the two years the person is found inefficient and the tenure has not elapsed, how do we handle such situation?
Bro. Munir Oladiti - Said he agreed with the two years two tenure system but we should be mindful that absolute power given corrupt absolutely.
Bro. Kazeem Ogunbambi.- Suggested that since we would be having Ex-co position in the executive, we should allow those whose tenure had elapsed to be an automatically ex- co. members
Bro. Luqman Onanuga - Suggested two years two tenure to be run concurrently for every position.
Bro. Nuruddeen Busairi - Observed that taking to suggestions as made above could lead to loosing some members who are having potentials that may be required at a particular period and advised a break for a while before re-contesting or reappointment.
Bro Shabakiyu Sanusi.- Said we seem to be fast drifting away from how its been dictated to us in the holy Quran to choose leaders but he would support the two years double term due to our peculiar nature as Nigerians with power, also it would help to establish trust among ourselves but he would support the idea of allowing office holder to re-contest after the expiration of his tenure if he so wishes.
Alfa Abdul Ganiyu Asubiaro - Suggested that adopting the sharia procedure to choose leader would be more appropriate which does not dictate time of expiration of office but that if an office holder said he cannot continue in his office he can then be excused.
Bro. Monsur Somide - Said since we as Nigerians are known to have high pride when ever we are in position of authority, we should therefore make such offices non attractive and after expiration of tenure then qualify automatically for ex-co office.
Alfa Maroof Bello - Said though he support the views of Alfa Abdul Ganiyu Asubiaro on the proposition of following the sharia procedure in choosing leaders and the tenure ship system as popularly proposed for administrative positions but the positions of the head and scholars should not be elective, Alfa Ganiyu counter that for peace to reign all positions should be made elective including that of the head and scholars.
Bro. Shabakiyu Sanusi - This time around come to term as earlier observed that we Nigerians get intoxicated with position and pride therefore, he agreed with the tenure system.
Bro. Munir Oladiti – Said he would this time pitch his tent with the views of Alfa Maroof Bello where he advocated Non-elective for the positions of head /scholar while others to be elective. This went contrary to the views of Bro Monsur Somide where he posited that since it is an umbrella body of all groups, it is therefore rational to be rotated.
Alfa Abdul Mojeed Usamot – Said since we couldn’t come to term with a particular pattern of choosing our leaders, we should therefore revert to how it’s been laid down by prophet Mohammed (pbuh).He went ahead to add that, it has become known style of Nigerians to show pride and unnecessary glorifications when in position of authority which has seemingly bedevil us, he accepted to have a platform for all Alfas as a group which duties would be to moderate the excessiveness of any ailing Alfa found to be over-zealous or wanting in his dispositions, he concluded that since the position of the head is a sensitive one, we should be careful while selecting someone with merit from our midst to occupy such an exalted position.
Bro.Abdul Ganiyu Badmus – Advised that since there are scholars and an intellectual in our midst as it’s been posited by the last speaker it is therefore mandatory on us to choose amongst them.
Mallam Abdullahi Akeem Ahmed – Said if the choice of who lead us would be left in the hands of the Alfas to decide, then we should be sure of finding ourselves in crises for the fact that these same Alfas couldn’t till this moment resolve the standing issue of Alhaji Shehu among themselves to now talk more of deciding who lead this group of honourable people of decent background.
Bro. Nuruddeen Busairi. – Supported the view of Mallam Akeem and pleaded for the two years two tenure to carry the day.
Bro.Abdul-Lateef Owalaye – Reminded us to be mindful of the law as it’s been operated here in Ireland and that we shouldn’t operate in violation of our organization constitution which the authority are aware of.
Bro Abdul- Lateef Alausa – Threw his weight behind the two years two term system for the executives and advocated for a mission board for all the Alfas where decisions on what and how to direct the affairs of the body would be made instead of having just one person as head.
Bro Musa Olajide Ogunse. – In response to Mallam Akeem on the issue of Alfas and Alhaji Shehu, he counter Akeem’s view and proposed to have one Alfa to be selected as leader while others should rally round him to guided him according to the dictates of Allah in the holy Quran.
Bro.Babs – Being the presiding officer of the meeting said seeing the views as been presented, the two years two tenures seems to have majority support that after the expiration of office, such officer would have to wait for a period to be decided before he could be eligible to contest again while we have mission board to accommodate the Alfas of every Assalatul as eligible.
Bro. Abdul-Lateef Alausa. – Said if ideally we want to follow the sharia provision, it’s only the Imam position that is non-elective while all others are venerable to tenure.
Briefs from local assemblies on code of conduct.
The code of conduct was taken to various local assemblies for perusals and input which views would be collated for necessary amendment. Some the areas demanding adjustments as noted by members are as follows.
2.9 – Subject to the approval of the house.
2.10 – Subject and as agreed by Islamic law.
2.12 – 2/3 instead of 50%.
That the positions of social and welfare should be included in the executives.
That a central point in Dublin should be located for our office.
Motto: To be Allahu – Ahaad.
Aims and Objectives.
5.3 – Should have its sub-section paraphrased.
To be clearly spelt out ie moral, finance etc
To include Muslims in general.
To organise activities in line with Quran e.g. Quranic competition, sporting etc
5.6 – To state that to within our social responsibilities cooperate and coordinate with other Muslims and non-Muslims organization to serve the noble Islamic and Humanitarian cause.
5.7 – To discourage amongst it members and the society at large vitiate and dangerous anti- social tendencies such as alcoholism and Drug addiction.
5.9 – To preach peace and love as the central focus of our religion.
6.2 – Was agreed to be removed.
This is to mention just a few, the executive through it committee set up for this purpose would make other necessary amendments.
On membership, Alfa Shabakiyu, Alausa and Alhaji Yusuf were to meet with the executives to deliberate and come out with a resolution.
Visitation of Muslim Association of UK to Ireland.
The executives and two sisters were to constitute committee to explore on how they would be received.
Peace and reconciliation committee report.
The secretary reported that though the committee have not concluded it investigation but from the preliminary investigation report available to them indicated that the whole incidence became compounded because of the unnecessary and undue interference from people who are believed to know better and engaging positively to make peace but instead flippantly demonised parties which is against Quranic injunction in resolving issues. He posited that in as much as they are trying to lay a good foundation which would usher-in or put good system in place which would be able to checkmate our excessiveness, short-coming and if possible our individual and collective overzealousness, we would not seat back and watch this noble organization be turned to a theatre for seeking personal vendetta, that we all have it as a moral obligation and religious responsibility to harmoniously develop this umbrella body for the purpose of presenting Islam in it true, natural perspectives to the progressive admiration of every one, we admonish every one to adhere to the dictate of Allah through prophet Mohammed (pbuh) which is the major source of our coming together and not for any mortal being.
This sealed our deliberation for the meeting, while various announcements were made on invitation for Islamic engagements, Alfa Shabakiyu gave the vote of thanks and we agreed for the next meeting to take place in Navan at Anur Muslim Organization on 24 July, 2010. Time to be made known by the executives.
The presiding officer of the meeting called for the adjournment of the meeting and seconded by the secretary while Alfa Alausa gave the closing prayers. This brought the meeting to end at 5.15pm.
Thanks for listening.
Ma-salaam