INTRODUCING THE ISLAMIC EDUCATION TRUST, LAGOS STATE BRANCH

PREAMBLE

The Islamic Education Trust (I.E.T) is a National organization devoted to the dissemination of the message of Islam in Nigeria, in accordance with the teachings of the Quran and the “Sunnah” of the Prophet Muhammad (may the benediction and peace of Allah be with him).

 The I.E.T. was founded in November, 1969 in Sokoto, in the erstwhile North Western State of Nigeria, and now has zonal branches in Sokoto State, Niger State, Lagos State, Adamawa State, Taraba State, Kebbi State, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

 The reasons for the formation of the I.E.T were numerous.

 They included the following:

a.     the drift towards de-Islamization of youth by neglect of Islamic education within the western type of educational system in Government Schools,   Private Schools and Christian Missionary Schools;

b.     the ignorance of the Muslim masses about their religion which had exposed them to estrangement from Islam by trained non-muslim missionaries;

c.     the failure on the part of the Muslims to carry the message of Islam to the numerous communities of idol worshippers and other non-muslims              within Nigeria;

d.     the acute shortage of books and pamphlets on all aspects of Islam for enlightenment of the intellectuals in particular, and the public in general; and

e.     the identification of Islam with traditions and customs when they run contrary to the teachings of Islam, causing the alienation of some of the             younger intellectuals from Islamic beliefs and practice.

Founding of I.E.T., Lagos

When the current Wakeel of the I.E.T. Lagos, Dr. Abdullah Jibril Oyekan, MFR, returned in April, 1971 from the United Kingdom after completing his doctorate studies at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London, where he had been introduced to weekly Islamic Group Studies, he immediately introduced the idea to members of the Muslim community of Lagos. The Ikoyi Usrah started with some ten or so individuals comprising mostly Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) members of University of Lagos, including Alhaji Taoheed Bello, Alhaji Abdul Lateef Bakare, Alhaji Miftah Idowu and non students members like the late Alhaji Surajuddeen Fahm, late Alhaji Yunus Giwa, late Alhaji Al-Ghali Kasim, as well as expatriates like late Dr. Abdul Hakeem Abdel Raziq, Captain Atif Ashoubry, Captain Murad Kheraldy. Later, after many years of study, it was decided that to be able to implement virtually all that they had learnt of Islam, the members needed to constitute themselves into an organization. However, rather than form another new organization. Thereby adding to the cacophony of the myriad of disjointed uncoordinated and sometimes rudderless groups that were parading themselves as Muslim organizations, a survey should be made of the existing serious ones to identify the one whose thinking and practices correlate closest to those of the Ikoyi Usrah. It was as a result of the survey that the Islamic Education Trust, which had been founded in 1975 was chosen. Thus the Islamic Education Trust Lagos State Branch was established in 1977.

The programme of the activities of I.E.T. is designed in such a way as to promote progress in all relevant sectors of da’wah and islamization, by various means and at various levels.

 MAJLIS-SHURAH (CONSULTATIVE ASSEMBLY) : 

This body manages the activities and programmes of the I.E.T.

The following are the current members of the Lagos State branch Majlis-Shurah of I.E.T.

(i)  Dr. Abdullah Jibril Oyekan, MFR-Wakeel (Superintendent)

(ii) Prof. Murtala Aderemi Bidmos

(iii) Alhaji Abdul Lateef O. Bakare

(iv) Engr. Hashim Oyekan

(v)  Alhaji Taoheed O. Bello

(vi)  Dr. Abdul-Ganiyy Adedigba

(vii)  Alhaji Sulaiman Adedigba

(viii) Hon. Sheikh Mudathir Sekoni

(ix)   Alhaji Abdullah A. Lawal

(x)    Alhaji Asumo Shittu Bello

(xi)   Alhaji Dhikrullah Oyekan

(xii)  Surveyor Abdur Razzaq O. Kasim

PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES IN LAGOS STATE:

PROMOTION OF THE TEACHING OF ISLAMIC STUDIES AND ARABIC IN STATE AND        

PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS IN LAGOS STATE:

At its inception in 1977, the I.E.T. Lagos State Branch discovered that Islamic Religion Studies (I.R.S) and Arabic were taught only in the very few schools and colleges founded by Muslim Organizations in Lagos State. Millions of Muslim children attending government acquired-former Christian Missionary Schools and   Christian-owned Private Institutions were forced to learn Bible Knowledge. Morning and afternoon assemblies were conducted mainly as Christian religious services, in total oblivion of the religion of the parents of the Muslim children. Muslim children were compelled to buy the Christian Hymn book called “SONGS OF PRAISE” (SOP).

The I.E.T. Lagos State Branch found all that unacceptable: hence it liaised with all bona-fide Muslim organizations in Lagos State to pressurize the State Government to allow the teaching of Islamic Studies and Arabic in all Government, Private and Missionary owned Primary and Secondary Schools. It also sought that assemblies be conducted free of religious services. That effort included the preparation of a new   I.R.S Syllabus which is now taught by Muslim teachers in most Lagos State and   Schools now close at 1.00p.m. on Fridays to enable Muslim students and teachers to attend Jummat Service.

STUDENT PROGRAMMES:

ORGANIZATION OF ANNUAL SEPARATE SEMINARS FOR MUSLIM BOYS AND       GIRLS IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

The I.E.T. organizes annually a nine-day residential seminar for intensive Islamic training for senior secondary school students, male and female, ahead of their admission into universities and other tertiary institutions.

The programme is aimed at reinforcing the students understanding and practice of Islam   and affording opportunities to build lasting religious bonds to fortify their resistance to   University predator groups like evangelists, cultists, and several other anti-social   groups.

 The boys seminar usually takes place in August while the girls seminar holds in   December each year. The Lagos I.E.T. had been playing host (at no cost to participants) to a total of at least 400 students annually for nine (9) days since 1981 until the last couple of years when, owing to lack of funds to meet up to the general inflationary trend, the number has dwindled to about 200.

DAILY/WEEKEND ISLAMIC CLASSES

In order to catch Muslim children young, daily and weekend Islamic Studies classes are   being held at 1004, Estate, Victoria Island, Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry, Surulere, Ojo and Orile areas of Lagos State for young Muslim children of primary and nursery school age.

WEEKLY QURANIC STUDY GROUPS (USRAH)

The I.E.T. organizes regular Quranic Study Groups over Lagos State; and is giving encouragement to the formation of more of such groups.

MONTHLY LECTURES

Monthly public lectures and question and answer sessions are held on the last Saturday of every month at Main Campus, King’s College, Lagos.

RAMADAN TAFSIR-CUM-QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSIONS

Ramadan, Tafsir/Question and Answer sessions are also held at King’s College Hall on   Saturdays and Sundays from 12.00 noon to 4.00pm throughout the month of Ramadan.   Ramadan Timetable is also published and distributed free of charge at the beginning of     Ramadan.

DAWAH (RELIGIOUS PROPAGATION) ACTIVITIES IN RURAL AREAS OF LAGOS STATE

The I.E.T., Lagos State Branch, has employed some full-time “Duats” (Da’wah workers)  to live and disseminate Islamic Knowledge in rural suburbs of Lagos State. I.E.T. paid staff can be found in Ikorodu, Epe, Ojo, Badagry, Surulere, and Apapa Local Government Areas of Lagos State. The programme is currently undergoing strategic review.

Jazaakumu-llahu khairah.

Dr, Abdullah Jibril Oyekan, MFR,

Wakeel,

1443A.H (2022)

I.E.T. BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS:

1.  GT Bank (Naira)

Account No: 0760347330

Account Name: Islamic Education Trust, Lagos.

 

2. Gt Bank (Dollar).

Account No: 0760348131

Account Name: Islamic Education Trust, Lagos.

Please contact us on +234-802-527-8966