In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful from whom we seek divine help and forgiveness. We acknowledge his Oneness and Supremacy. May the Peace of Allah (SWT) continue to be upon the best of mankind, our master, the last of the sent ones, our noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW), His companions and those that follow the Deen Islam till the Day of Judgment. I seek refuge from Allah against shaytan, the accursed, and all associated with him (Allahumo Aamiin).
I greet with the best of salutations by saying Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
It is with great humility and gratitude to Allah (SWT) that we are alive today, as we flag off the 30th-anniversary celebration of our dear organization, Nasrul-Lahi-LFatih Society (NASFAT) across all NASFAT locations globally. This period symbolizes not just a mere celebration of a congregation of individuals, but a convergence of hearts, minds, and aspirations, united in our shared commitment to navigate the challenges of the modern world with resilience, wisdom, and faith.
NASFAT continues to be a critical institute in the protection and advocacy of the local Muslim community across locations and to an extent, the broader World Muslim population. Through the collective work of the NASFAT stakeholders, members, and partners, we continue to strive towards our vision of ‘being a pacesetting Islamic organization with global acceptance and developing enlightened Muslims for spiritual upliftment and welfare of mankind, fostering and enabling a vibrant Islamic Community where Muslims enrich society through the values of Islam’. For over 29 years now, NASFAT has delivered welfare and community services at a sufficient pace to adjust to emerging challenges in our community. Throughout this period, NASFAT executed these services in a capacity and operational tempo appropriate to respond to the community’s needs.
Today, our community is faced with increased dynamic challenges based on the shifting political landscape throughout the world and continually emerging issues. As such, our current stakeholders and members have sought to be more flexible and agile in our strategic direction and capability, to adjust to key priority areas that target and seek to better ensure the protection and prosperity of the local Muslim and broader world Muslims and Non-Muslims community. By employing an approach with strategic agility, we have been able to undertake substantial reforms over the last 29 years at NASFAT, to build and develop our organisational capability. We have undergone a comprehensive modernisation and rebranding phase, which has seen our organisation establish a stronger online presence, re-energise our digital, marketing, and communication channels, enhanced organisational transparency and built stronger ties with the community.
It is common knowledge that a society is more prosperous during a time of peace and nonviolence. These elements lead to the rapid developmental growth of any given society. To this end, peace and non-violence become desirable. In fact, lovers of peace preach nonviolence; nothing could be more desirable. It is important, however, to ask: how can peace be attained to promote growth and development? How do we maintain peace and nonviolence? Can leadership bring about peace and non-violence? What about tolerance? These questions lead us to the NASFAT of today with over 360 locations, 28 primary schools, 8 secondary schools, 5 hospitals/Clinics, one internationally acclaimed and dynamic university and other nine agencies (NAZAS, TTTL, HAVEK, LASIIKIN, TIL, NASHIN, NMI, NRI & NASLAC).
Can leadership and tolerance lead to peace and non-violence in the society? Nations have been torn apart in some parts of the world due to poor leadership amongst other factors? Some leaders have gone to war just to massage their ego rather than broker peace and pursue non-violence. Some leaders too cannot accommodate dissident voices. This brings about chaos in the society and raises tensions (Ukraine, Gaza, Syria and others). Thus, opposition can be cramped down and freedom, guaranteed by the constitution, is threatened. The practice of tolerance becomes important in this regard. Our society NASFAT has imbibed purposeful leadership, tolerance, peace and non-violence in handling internal and external issues over the 29 years of our journey with spiritual guidance, Alhamudulilahi.
In NASFAT, we have established that tolerance and purposeful leadership cannot be devoid of peace and non-violence, to keep the peace and non-violence, leadership must embrace tolerance; leaders, as well as followers, are to have the virtue of tolerance to resolving crises and all forms of aggression.
Peace and non-violence are important factors in every society that seeks development, progress, and unity. It is more imperative for a multilingual and multicultural society to continue to work for peace and non-violence. This would be the case when there is purposive leadership and the spirit of tolerance. Therefore, today as we flag off to celebrate NASFAT @ 30, we praise Allah for His spiritual guidance and salute our past, and present leaders, stakeholders, and members for their purposeful leadership and tolerance and how they had led for peace and non-violence.
We, therefore, call on all political class who seek power and leadership positions by all means possible to prioritize integrity, accountability, and the welfare of the people above personal ambition, ensuring that their actions promote unity, justice, and sustainable development for the greater good of the ummah. The followership is not left out as they have to play their part in ensuring peace and non-violence in the society at large. Thus seeking a leadership position as well as supporting a particular leader should not be made a do-or-die affair.
Can leadership and tolerance lead to peace and non-violence in the society? Why should one be a leader? What kind of leadership can lead to progress and development? It is positive that a democratic society; embracing the right type of attitude in leadership would correct the anomalies and lopsidedness in “our democracy” and also guide against despotic and totalitarian leadership while ensuring leaders lead by being responsible and exhibiting tolerance and true personal example in solving current hardship in the country. Both religious and political leaders must be astute with both men and materials. A leader must possess the ability to create in the followers the necessary enthusiasm/motivation to put in every necessary effort to deliver on set goals.
Thus the ability not only to conceive but also to communicate a vision or idea is of utmost importance as an attribute of leadership. Above all, a leader must first and foremost be a member of his/her team, internalize their feelings and galvanize their potentials towards reaching the goal. Also, a responsible leader should be one who has been fully educated, one who has come to understand the difference between the visible world and the intelligible world, between the realm of opinion and the realm of knowledge, between appearance and reality. NASFAT has such leaders!!!
Lastly, we must seize opportunities for growth and expansion, embracing innovation and leveraging technology to enhance our outreach and impact. Whether through educational initiatives, humanitarian projects, or advocacy efforts, let us harness the power of collaboration and creativity to address the pressing issues facing our communities and the world at large.
In the words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), “The best of people are those who are most beneficial to people.” Let us take this noble teaching to heart as we strive to navigate the currents of the world around us. Let us be beacons of light, sources of hope, and agents of positive change in our communities and beyond.
In closing, I thank all our leaders at the Headquarters, Zones, Branches, Groups, Outreach, and Prayer Groups of our esteemed Nasfat society, men, and women, brothers, and sisters, and also extend my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers, volunteers, and sponsors who Allah (SWT) used to make this Nasfat location possible. May Allah (SWT) bless your efforts and reward you abundantly.
“In a society as big and diverse as NASFAT, we won’t always see eye-to-eye on everything. But progress requires us to extend good faith and grace – even to people whom we deeply disagree with. That’s how we have come this far, and it’s how we will keep building a society that is fair and just, equal and free “.
As we embark on NASFAT 30th anniversary celebration activities, let us remember that our journey as members of NASFAT is not merely a quest for relevance and growth, but a pursuit of excellence and service in the path of Allah (SWT). May He guide our steps, illuminate our hearts, and grant us success in this world and the Hereafter. Inshaa Allah, our society shall continue to make positive impacts across the globe, Aamiin,
Jazakumullahu Khairan. Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
Alhaji Ayodeji Abdulwahid AbdulRauf, FCS
Nasfat President, Worldwide.