The Surulere Youth Wing of the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT) has urged Muslim youths to preserve their cultural heritage without compromising Islamic teachings.
The call was made at the society’s Cultural Day celebration held in Surulere, Lagos, on Sunday.
The event had the theme: “Culture Meets Islam: Understanding Boundaries and Balance”.
In his welcome address, Mr Abdulmojeed Bello, the Acting Youth Leader of NASFAT, Surulere Branch, said the celebration provided an opportunity to examine the relationship between culture and Islam.
Bello said the theme did not condemn acceptable cultural practices but encouraged Muslims to identify and moderate those contrary to Islamic teachings.
He urged Muslims to preserve their cultural heritage with pride, noting the importance of understanding their origins and intentions.
He thanked parents and elders for their continued support and prayed Allah to grant them long life, prosperity and continued guidance.
The first speaker, Imam Saheed Adekunle, spoke on “Celebrating Our Heritage Without Compromising Our Faith”.
Adekunle urged youths to appreciate their cultural heritage while remaining committed to Islamic teachings.
He explained that repeated cultural practices could become established customs, sometimes causing people to lose sight of their origins and meanings.
He urged Muslims to understand their cultural practices and subject them to Islamic teachings, retaining acceptable traditions and rejecting those contrary to their faith.
He warned that some cultural practices contributed to family breakdown, separation and divorce, which he described as issues requiring collective attention.
He said preserving cultural heritage and religious identity required knowledge, reform and the rejection of practices inconsistent with Islamic teachings.
The second speaker, Imam Ridwanullah Hassan, spoke on “Balancing Heritage and Faith: Practical Guide for Muslim Youth”.
Hassan urged Muslim youths to balance cultural values with religious obligations and avoid practices contrary to the teachings of Allah and Prophet Muhammad.
He said Islam did not prescribe a particular tribal style of dressing but required Muslims to dress modestly and decently.
He stressed the importance of covering the body appropriately in mosques, homes and public places.
Hassan encouraged youths to take pride in their heritage, language, dressing and customs while avoiding idol worship, immorality and disobedience to Allah.
Hassan cited the Yoruba cultural emphasis on chastity, noting that a bride’s virginity was traditionally regarded as a source of honour to her family.
He said Islam also valued chastity and encouraged parents to raise their daughters with good moral values.
He also urged parents to guide their children with wisdom and encourage them to acquire religious knowledge.
The Chairman of NASFAT, Surulere Branch, Alhaji Abdul-Fatai Ogungbenle, described culture as an important part of Yoruba identity.
Ogungbenle urged youths to preserve their heritage and promote it with pride.
He congratulated the Youth Wing on the successful celebration and assured it of the branch executive’s continued support.
Also, Imam Musbaudeen Oloye urged youths to acquire knowledge and understand the differences between cultural practices and religious obligations.
Oloye cited traditional Yoruba hairstyles as an example of cultural practices that should not automatically be regarded as religious violations.
Alhaja Kudirat Adeniji urged female youths to dress modestly and cover their bodies when attending mosque.
The Missioner, Imam Hassan Alaseyori, urged Muslim youths to practise what they preach and serve as good ambassadors of Islam.
The event featured cultural displays, presentations, lectures and interactive sessions aimed at guiding Muslim youths to embrace their Nigerian identity while remaining committed to Islam.
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