The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, said on Sunday that street begging
by children has no basis in Islam and challenged those engaging in the act
to find other means of earning a living.
Mr. Abubakar, who is also the President-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam,
JNI, stated this while presiding over the pre-Ramadan meeting of JNI’s
Central Committee, held at the JNI headquarters, Kaduna.
According to him, “Almajiri system of begging is not representing Islam
and must, therefore, be dissociate from Islam.
“Islam encourages scholarship and entrepreneurship and frowns at laziness
and idleness as exemplified by itinerant Almajiri.
“Therefore, attempt must be made to stop the practice of Almajiri system
of begging among Muslim faithful,’’ he said.
He noted that hunger and poverty were responsible for children begging on
the streets, urging the government, particularly at the state level to
prioritise welfare of their citizens to address hunger and poverty.
He also urged state governments to strengthen the institution of ‘Zakkat’
and endowment to address wanton poverty.
The Sultan urged the government at all levels, particularly at the state
level to rise to their responsibilities of ensuring welfare of every
citizen.
The event is an annual meeting meant to set modalities and guidelines for
moon sighting and general Muslims conduct during the holy month.
Prominent traditional rulers and Islamic scholars attended the meeting.
(NAN)