A foremost Islamic organisations in Nigeria, the Jamaatul Izalatul Bidiah Wa Iqamatus Sunna, JIBWIS, is set to support about 185,000 orphans nationwide with foodstuff, clothes and vocational skills.
National Chairman of the organisation, Shiekh Bala Lau, who made this known recently in an interview with journalists in Yola said the move was to reduce poverty in the land, which is a precursor to curtailing the rate of criminality in the country, just as he said the gesture was part of JIBWIS’ efforts to ensure that the orphans and other needy members of the society have a sense of belonging during the period of Ramadan.
Lau said, about 9000 mosques across the country were given the mandate nationwide to collect assistance from Muslim faithful for the programme.
“If all Muslims that visited mosques to pray will contribute N100 each we would have a reasonable amount to help the orphans and other needy in the society”, Lau said.
He urged Muslims to pray fervently for Allah’s bounties during the holy month of Ramadan and also do more in helping the needy as the action attracts high rewards.
He particularly urged people to indulge in visiting hospitals, orphanage homes, prisons and other places with the view to assisting them.
He lauded Adamawa chapter of JIBWIS for sponsoring some orphans to school, adding that other states were also planning to do same, particularly in setting up of skills acquisition centres to complement government effort and promote self reliance.
“I want to use this opportunity to plead with the government to do more in decongesting prisons and to respect human rights in the ongoing fight against terrorism”.