By Sulaimon Olanrewaju
Oshogbo, Nigeria
At the opening of NASFAT’s Strategic Retreat in Oshogbo, keynote speaker Dr. Jubril Salaudeen Abdullah delivered a blunt message: Muslims must form a strong economic alliance if they want to challenge Western dominance.
“Once Muslims unite, the West will no longer hold the keys to global economic power,” he told delegates gathered at Fountain University, where the society convened to reset its vision after three turbulent decades.
The retreat, aimed at positioning NASFAT for the next generation, comes as the organization seeks to harness youth energy, women’s leadership, and technology to stay relevant globally.
Dr. Jubril warned that the “job-for-graduate” era is fading fast, urging Muslim communities to embrace new economic models and digital engagement. He called on parents to end the culture of spoon-feeding children and instead raise resilient successors.
He also pressed Islamic scholars to stop trading insults and shift their focus to digital dawah that resonates with young people. Mentorship programs for women and youth, he said, should be central to NASFAT’s strategy since they form the largest share of the organization’s base.
To remain competitive, Dr. Jubril urged continuous training for missionaries and a departure from traditional methods of outreach. “If NASFAT is to sustain its global status, it must innovate its approach to dawah,” he said.
He also underscored the importance of faith practices, stressing that children must be taught the value of prayer to match the drive of their Christian counterparts. While acknowledging that young people can be demanding, he insisted their voices must be heard as part of efforts to manage rising global crises.
“Challenges won’t disappear,” Dr. Jubril said. “But with strategic thinking, they can be managed.”
