… Commends Inter Religious Harmony Existing in Kogi
The 1,800 seater capacity Anyigba Central mosque, auditorium, offices, 30 male and 50 female toilets as well as a school, has been commissioned by His Eminence, Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto and Head of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
The ultramodern mosque was built as part of community services by former Governor of the State and industrialist, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris. The Anyigba Central mosque is located on a choice 1.3 hectare of land in the heart of the town.
Speaking at the official commissioning of the Mosque constructed in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, the Sultan Commends the Inter Religious Harmony existing between Christians and moslems in Kogi State.
The Sultan of Sokoto, called on well to do individuals to see building mosques as a way of moulding spiritual characters of the coming generation, building faith of adherents, described the overwhelming presence of Christian Clergies at the Mosque Commissioning as unprecedented.
The Sultan described inter Religious Harmony as a way of sustaining peace in the country Urged that the Anyigba, Kogi State example were the Christians and moslems are United in worship be emulated in the country.
While urging Moslems to use the forthcoming Ramadan to pray for peace in the country, the Sultan Commended the Initiatives of the facilitator of the mosque, said it is not a quality that began now, said it is a quality he is associated with over the years.
The Sultan Commended the former Governor for building the mosque, lauded his efforts, prayed for him to make success in his endeavors and urged other well meaning individuals to emulate his good deeds in making the society better.
Giving an insight into why he is involved in charity and community development projects, Idris explained his involvement was not because he had too much money but his own modest way of showing appreciation to God for his love and countless blessings.
“God has been good to me all through my life. I know I cannot pay him for his superlative mercies to me. I am grateful for what God has done for me. In fact, God loves me so much that I believe he loves me more than everybody. I’m not saying he does not love others, but I know he loves me more.I feel there is no better way of thanking him than to provide a place where others can come and worship him.” He said.
He listed some evidences of God’s love to include the miraculous survival of three of his children in a 2006 plane crash that claimed many lives, his narrow escapes from many serious accidents, and his business and political successes. “In fact, if I have to start counting God’s blessings and love for me, there will be no space to contain them.”
Aside the Anyigba Central Mosque, Idris started building worship centers like Mosques and Churches nearly two decades ago long before he became Governor.
He has successfully executed similar initiatives in Idah, Ejule and Abejukolo all in Kogi East and called on other privileged persons to imbibe the virtue of giving back to God and the society, irrespective of their religion.