Minutes of meeting held in Navan on 12th Shaban 1431 A.H

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST BENEFICIENT THE MOST MERCIFUL



Minutes of the Nigerian Muslim Council Ireland meeting hosted by Anur Muslim Organization Navan on the 24th July, 2010 (12th Shaban 1431 A.H)

Attendance;

1. Alhaji Abdul-Ganiyu Asubiaro-------------------Raodatu Soliheen-Islam, Drogheda
2. Babs Akintoye--------------------------------------Jamatul-Islamiyayah, Drogheda
3. Abdul-Afeez Jimoh--------------------------------Balbriggan Dawah Group
4. Mojeed Adebisi Usamot--------------------------Anur Muslim Organization Navan
5. Wahab Kolawole Yusuff--------------------------Ridiwanulahi Al-Akibar, Carlow
6. Ahmed Ojuolape------------------------------------Ridiwanulahi Al-Akibar, Carlow
7. AbdulWaheed Olateju Nuhu----------------------Ridiwanulahi Al-Akibar, Carlow
8. AbdLateef Alausa----------------------------------Muslim Association Forum, Dublin
9. Musliudeen Ola Taiwo----------------------------Muslim Association Forum, Dublin
10. Olajide Moses Ogunse-----------------------------Edenderry Muslim Organisation
11. Dhikrullah Abdulsalam-----------------------------Navan Muslim Organization
12. Kafilat Ajani Rahman------------------------------Edenderry Muslim Organization
13. Yemisi Afolami Dada------------------------------Edenderry Muslim Organization
14. Bashir Jumart---------------------------------------Raodatu Soliheen-Islam, Drogheda
15. Luqman Onanuga----------------------------------Muslim Association Forum, Dublin
16. Ganeeu Badru-------------------------------------Jamat-Islamiyaah, Drogheda
17. Shabakiyu Sanusi---------------------------------Athlone Muslim Congress
18. Azeez Edun----------------------------------------Athlone Muslim Congress
19. Kunle Yusuff---------------------------------------Athlone Muslim Congress
20. Sherifat Lawal-------------------------------------Anur Muslim Organisation, Navan
21. Afusat Yahya--------------------------------------Anur Muslim Organization, Navan
22. Alhaja Kudirat-------------------------------------Anur Muslim Organisation, Navan
23. Waheed Yusuf-------------------------------------Nigerian Muslim Group, Cork
24. Ola Shehu------------------------------------------Nigerian Muslim Group, Cork
25. Waheed---------------------------------------------Edenderry Muslim Organization
26. Jamiu Bolaji----------------------------------------Nigerian Muslim Group, Cork



Apology of absence from:

Al-Kunfayakun Prayer Group, Waterford
Galway representatives
Dundalk representatives


The meeting started by 2:20pm with an opening prayer by Bro Ahmed Ojuolape, followed by reading from the Qu’ran by Bro AbdLateef Alausa.
The coordinator (Bro AbdAfeez Jimoh) apologied to the house for starting late, the minutes of the last meeting was read by Bro Luqman Onanuga in the absences of the secretary (Bro Abdullahi Akeem Ahmed).

Observation & Adoption of the minutes: Bro Musa Ogunse observed that Sis Anota Bankole & Sis Kehinde Adeyemo raised a suggestion about sisters from various groups being represented at meetings was omitted from the minutes.
The minutes was adopted by Bro Mojeed Usamot & seconded by Bro Abdul-Ganiyu Asubiaro.

Matters Arising

Bro Afeez Jimoh raised the matter of concluding the code of conduct to effect registration as we are a year in existence and we should haste in achieving our intended projects. He also brief the house the outcome of the meeting between the administrative committee and the 3 nominated bros to discuss the area of membership on the code of conduct ( resolution of the meeting was included in the minutes). Bro Abd-Lateef Alausa raised an observation about putting a quota on the individual member joining NMCI however Bro Afeez Jimoh responded by saying the outcome of the meeting about membership concluded that no quota will be imposed, that it will be up to the mission board to accept or refuse any individual membership.

Code of Conduct:
Bro Babs started the reading of the code of conduct from FINANCE.
Bro Musa Ogunse raised the issue of monthly contribution to be done at each meeting instead of monthly.
Bro Waheed (Edenderry) suggested that groups should be donating at each meeting.
Sis Yemisi Afolami supported the monthly donations.
Bro Afeez Jimoh raised the issue of a different amount of contribution for an individual from that of a group.
Bro Ahmed Ojuolape suggested we leave individual donations to what they can donate.
Bro Abd-Lateef Alausa reiterated the Qu’ranic verse of not burdening ourselves beyond our means; he suggested we should task an individual €10 & €20 for a group.
Bro Abd-Ganiyu Asubiaro suggested that an individual should pledge a minimum amount by him/herself.
Bro Babs suggested we should leave the amount of contribution open to an individual while fixing a particular amount for a group i.e. €50.
Bro Bashir Jumart suggested that for the time being whoever comes to the meeting should contribute something & until we are registered we can fix an amount.
Bro Afeez Jimoh explained that the term ‘individual’ used in this context means a person who does not belong to a group.
Bro Ahmed Ojuolape supports €20 from each group.
Bro Babs also supported €20 but added that we can always get more during events.
Bro Mojeed Usamot emphasized that apart from group donations whoever is representing a group in meetings can also voluntary donate.
Bro Abd-Wahab Yusuff suggested we make the contribution €50 per group per meeting (bi-monthly). This suggestion was also supported by Bro Jamiu Bolaji.
€50 per meeting was unanimously agreeded.
Bro Mojeed Usamot commenting on the aspect of gift and advised that whoever has any cloths (old/new) should bring it to each meeting. However modalities of cloth bank were left for deliberation in subsequent meetings.

- ACCOUNTS
Bro Musa Ogunse asked what type of bank account are we opening to avoid interest.
Bro Mojeed Usamot highlighted that there is no bank in Ireland operating interest-free we can only donate the interest to charity quoting the saying of the Prophet(PBUH) that actions are judged according to intention.
Bro Abd-Lateef Alausa suggested we can open a current account instead of a savings account.
Bro Ahmed Ojuolape advised we can look at PTSB about opening a deposit account.
Bro Afeez Jimoh concluded that the committee will look into various banks/accounts.

- EXPENDITURE
No amendments

- COMMITTEE
No amendments

Bro Afeez Jimoh opined that having concluded amending the code of conduct we should append our signature to it.
Bro Musliudeen Ola Taiwo objected to Bro Afeez Jimoh’s suggestion on the ground that we need to see the amended copy before signing.
Bro Abd-Lateef Alausa asked how many people need to sign the code of conduct?
Bro Luqman Onanuga responded that we can publish that amended copy of the code of conduct on the blog, if no further observations from the house then we can forward it for registration and also the minimum number to sign the code of conduct is seven.
Bro Afeez Jimoh – maximum number of signatory inorder to carry all along & for all to have a sense of belonging.
Bro Waheed Yusuff noted that it will be nice for groups such as his (cork) to take the code of conduct back to their constituency before signing.
Bro Afeez Jimoh (coordinator) emphasized that the amended copy of the code of conduct will be sent to all groups not present at the meeting.
Bro Musliudeen Ola Taiwo suggested we send a final copy to groups afar and get it back before the next meeting.
A lot of arguments ensued about signing the code of conduct before Bro Abd-Ganiyu Asubiaro raised two points; (1) lets leave the signatory for the next meeting. (2) Decide who to sign i.e. individual representatives or groups
Bro Ahmed Ojuolape advised different groups should nominate a person to sign on behalf of their group and forward such name to the committee.
The general house agreed upon Bro Ahmed Ojuolape’s suggestion and added that such nominated person from each group should be present at the next meeting.

Blog: Bro Afeez Jimoh introduced the NMCI blog to the house, part of its function will be for information, questions, updates, publications etc. The web address is; http://nmcireland.blogspot.com

Visitation: The planned visitation of the Nigerian Muslim group UK to Ireland has been cancelled.

Ramadan / Zakat-ul-fitr: Bro Afeez Jimoh emphasized the importance of zakat-ul-fitr and the committee’s plan of centralizing our zakat-ul-fitr collection and forwarding it to Nigeria.
Bro Abd-Lateef Alausa suggests we leave it for now and implement it in further.
Bro Usamot emphasized that we should start now from whatever we can collect.
Bro Waheed Yusuff stressed the issue of trust ie the distributor / link in Nigeria, who do we give it to etc
Bro Musliudeen OlaTaiwo & Bro Waheed Yusuff wants to know who & how to forward the zakat-ul- fitr and gifts.
Bro Luqman Onanuga responded by mentioning names of groups/links in Nigeria ie United For Kids, Deen Communications etc he also mentioned that there is already established contact with the groups in the past.
Bro Abd-Lateef Alausa advised the committee to highlight any plans they have to the general house inorder to save time & deliberation. He also reiterated the point of us not discriminating against any Muslim when giving charity and the advice of forming a sub-committee on charity/zakat-ul-fitr.
Bro Kunle Yusuff suggested we deal with Islamic NGO’s in Nigeria.
Bro Shabakiyu Sanusi on the issue of zakat-ul-fitr suggested we can forward any collection to a hostel in Athlone.
Bro Afeez Jimoh suggests to the general house to use the blog for further advice on the issue & that the committee will look into ways of dividing whatever collection to cater for Ireland & Nigeria.

AOB

Bro Ahmed Ojuolape commented on adhering to the agenda and be conscious of time.
Bro Ola shehu commended the NMCI’s progress, his delight to be in attendance at the meeting and promise to be present in subsequent meetings.
Bro Musa Ogunse thanked those that attended his function, advised we incorporate hadith reading in our programme, be always punctual to meetings, not compelling the host group to cook and always consider our sisters in our deliberations. Bro Musa Ogunse asked if there is any checks & balances for the executive council?
Bro Afeez Jimoh directed Bro Musa Ogunse to the code of conduct for check & balances.
Bro Musliudeen Ola Taiwo asked why the coordinator is not giving other members of the committee a chance to response to questions. How many people should form a quorum to start a meeting? Incorporate hijira calendar in our minutes, that two committee members should review the minutes before publishing it.
Bro Waheed (Edenderry) – reminded the house that there are two Muslim groups in Navan and we should include the other group in our communication.
Bro Afeez Jimoh raised the point of us in meetings using a neutral word instead of ‘assalatu’
Bro Kunle Yusuff - resolutions from meetings should be read/highlighted instead of the voluminous minutes being read.
Bro Babs invited all to his groups pre-ramadan lecture on the 1st August’10 @ Bettystown. Co.Meath.

The next meeting will be hosted by Athlone Muslim Congress, Athlone in September’10 exact date to be communicated by the committee.
The meeting ended with a closing prayer by Bro Musa Ogunse @ 6:15pm.

Wa alaykum assalam warahmotullah wabarakatu