Ogun State Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele has called on Islamic societies to intensify efforts in communicating the core values and norms of the religion to younger generations.
She emphasised the need to adopt various social media platforms to propagate Islam, reach wider audiences, and attract more followers.
Salako-Oyedele made this known while receiving members of the Alasalatu Society of Nigeria and West Africa, ASONWA, who paid her a courtesy visit at her office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Friday.
The society, led by its Khaleefah and Missioner, Khaleefah Akorede Abdulfatai, stated that taking Islamic activities online would attract greater followership and provide more information about the deen.
Abdulfatai noted that while Muslim societies are building spiritual leaders, they must also ensure they do not lose relevance by failing to adapt to the 21st century.
Her words: “Before now we use to go round from town to town across Yorubaland and Ilorin to propagate Islam. This was the way Dawah was done in the 30s and 40s but now we are in the 21st century, Dawah can also be done online.
“The cost of moving from town to town is high and these generation are always on the go, as such you can’t easily go and meet them but most people have internet enabled mobile phones. If you are not on Instagram, you are on Facebook and if you are not on Facebook, you are on Tiktok and this is the way to go if you are considering catching the next generation.”
She insisted that while following the tenets of Islam, societies must also remain broad-minded, with a view to bringing more people into the fold and preventing Muslims from leaving the religion.
Abdulfatai described the deputy governor as a true ambassador of Islam, commending her continued support for the growth of Islam and women, and prayed for her to continue spreading the faith, while asking God to grant her wisdom, favour and grace.
Also speaking, the Grand Patron of ASONWA and former Military Administrator of Bauchi and Sokoto States, Captain Rasheed Raji, commended the deputy governor for her contributions to propagating Islam. He described her as a religious, loving, kind, and accommodating woman who holds the interests of women dearly.
The highlight of the programme was the decoration of Her Excellency as a Patron of ASONWA.
