By: Abdul-Ganiyy Raji
The statement above, which serves as a title for this write-up, was made by lawyer and on-air personality, Sister Nyma Akashat Zibiri, at a recent 30th anniversary lecture organised by Nasrul-Lahil-Fātih Society (NASFAT), in Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria.
She made this remark in her capacity as a co-anchor of the programme. Sister Nyma Akashat features as one of the anchors of the flagship programme of Television Continental (TVC), known as Your View. She is well-respected for her intelligent and honest approach to issues during the TV programme.
At the 30th anniversary lecture of NASFAT, she pleasantly shocked the audience when she said: “When I joined TVC, I only came with my emotions and sentiments about Islam. I did not know how to handle most of the questions that people often ask about Islam. It was not until NASFAT, through a Da’wah programme to which the Chief Missioner and his wife invited me, that I first began to understand how to answer questions on Islam
At the anniversary lecture, she expressed her profound gratitude to NASFAT for this life-changing opportunity.
Interestingly, many highly respected individuals within and outside Nigeria can share similar stories about the transformative impact that NASFAT has had on their journey as Muslims.
We often say that NASFAT is a silent achiever. It has done more for Islam and humanity than people know. Its achievements in the area of Da’wah are unknown to many people.
Not many people know that NASFAT is into Da’wah. I remember an occasion when I was invited to address the Muslim alumni of Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso. The brother who suggested my name to the group said the nomination of a NASFAT Imam did not sit well with some of the leaders who are strong MSSN members. He said they asked him, “What does a NASFAT Imam have to tell us? Is NASFAT into Da’wah activities?. The brother said he insisted that they should welcome his suggestion and that they would not regret it. Alhamdu liLlah! We went for the programme and the narrative changed completely.
It is a fact that not many people know many of the programmes of NASFAT. To many, NASFAT is only an Asalatu Society where people come together for supplications on Sundays.
The few eminent people who know the all-important role that NASFAT is playing in Islam are always quick to identify with it and support its programmes in cash and in kind.
Muslims of all backgrounds must appreciate what NASFAT has done and what it is doing within the Ummah.
I believe that with the ongoing restructuring and reform in the NASFAT Missionary Institute (NMI), the Da’wah activities of NASFAT will become more impactful and more noticeable. God willing.
May Allah reward the leaders, members, financers and friends of NASFAT with the best of rewards in this world and the Hereafter.
Abdul-Ganiyy Raji is the National Da’wah Officer of NASFAT
