8th August,
2015
PRESS RELEASE:
SULTAN FOUNDATION PARTNERS IIPC ON
PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT
The Sultan Foundation
for Peace and Development and a US-based NGO, International Interfaith Peace
Corps (IIPC) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen
ties between both parties in areas of education, health, conflict resolution,
revitalization of Islamic schools, youth and women empowerment, interfaith
dialogue, socio-economic development and the welfare of internally displaced
persons (IDPs).
The event, a one-day roundtable
which took place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, was chaired by His
Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar mni, Grand Patron
of the Foundation. The occasion had in attendance Ambassador Rashad Hussain,
Special Envoy of President Barrack Obama, Imam Mohamed Magid and Dr. Imrana
Umar, chairman and executive director of the IIPC respectively. The MoU was
signed by H. E. the Sultan and Imam Mohamed Magid on behalf of the two
organizations.
The coordinator of
Sultan Foundation, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammadu Mera, was
present at the event. Also in attendance were leaders of the Jamaatu Nasril
Islam (JNI), JIBWIS, Qadiriyyah, Tijaniyyah, the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of
Nigeria, Dawah Coordinating Council of Nigeria, Al-Usrah Islamic Foundation of
Port Harcourt, National Islamic Center, Jamaatut Tajdidil Islamy, the Muslim
Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), The Muslim Congress (TMC), Tadhamun, Igbo
Muslim Ummah Foundation, International Institute of Islamic Thought, Federation
of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), the Muslim Rights Concern
(MURIC) and many other Islamic organizations.
The roundtable condemned terrorist groups and hate
statements emanating from groups like Al-Qaidah, ISIS and Boko Haram. It
expressed deep concern about the poor and degenerating condition of the
internally displaced persons in the North East and called on the Federal
Government of Nigeria to establish the North East Development Commission
without delay.
In his speech at the event, HE the Sultan enumerated the
objectives of the Sultan Foundation which includes the provision of relief for
IDPs, the promotion of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among the adherents
of different religions in the country, the reduction of poverty through wealth
creation and the development of the capacity of Islamic scholars to enable them
understand and preach moderation in order to counter extremism and terrorism.
As part of the
cooperation between the two organizations, IIPC and its partners will host 21
Nigerian Muslim leaders from different Islamic organizations who will attend a
3-week Study Tour in the United States between August and September this year.
Mallam M. A. Inuwa,
Director of
Programmes,
Sultan Foundation for
Peace and Development
A very positive step. Alhamdulillah.
ReplyDelete