Association pledges commitment to Muslim women’s wellbeing

By Ogundele Olanrewaju

Association of Muslim Women in Business and Professions, on Saturday, pledged to continue to prioritise the wellbeing of Muslim women and children.

The association, popular known as The Criterion, gave the pledge at the end of its 2nd International and 11th Biennial Conference, held in Ibadan.

The theme of the conference is: ‘The New Reality: Roles and Challenges of Muslim Women.’

The grand finale of the conference, held at the event’s hall of the University of Ibadan Central Mosque, had its key lecture delivered by Prof. Hafiz Oladosu of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies.

Oladosu, in the lecture, urged Muslim women not to allow the societal challenges to mislead them into doing things that negate the Islamic practices.

He said that Nigerians should recognise that they were in trying times, with numerous challenges, ranging from poverty to insecurity.

“So people’s ability to respond to issues is different; some respond in violent ways, while others do so harshly.

“A Muslim woman, who finds herself in such a situation, should try to forgive and forget. Give others benefit of the doubt, try and empathise, and see beyond the ordinary.

“Through that, we begin to cut down on the tempo and diffuse the situation,” he said.

The don advised those in position of authority to stop benchmarking their prosperity against the adversity of the citizens.

Rather, he said that they should keep in mind the reasons they were put in office and do the needful in order to confront the numerous challenges facing the country.

President (Ameerah) of the association, Hajia Fatimah Oyefeso, said that the criterion was established about 35 years ago as a faith-based, non-governmental organisation.

Oyefeso added that membership of the association cut across Muslim women involved in virtually all lawful businesses and the professions.

According to her, the association is passionate about the wellbeing of women, children and family issues, adding that its programmes and activities are organised towards achieving this mission.

She disclosed that the association “currently has a total of six districts; five of which are national and one is international.

“Our goal ultimately is to widen our scope to spring up more districts nationally and internationally.”

Oyefeso said that the organisation was also committed to the education of women in order to be intimated with the new realities in the world and the roles they should play.

She said that the conference, tagged: Oluyole 2021, would expose the participants on how to tackle assault, abuse and financial stress.

The keynote discussant, Prof. Teslim Ayobami of the Department of Guidance and Counseling, also delivered a paper, entitled: ‘Tackling Assault, Abuse in Women and Children’ at the event.

In addition, Dr Muritala Kareem of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies also delivered paper on how women could cope with family finances under the new reality.

Other highlights of the event included the inauguration of a borehole at Sekinah Olapeju, Challenge area of Ibadan, a lecture on parenting values as well as ethics, cyber space and tackling drug abuse among adolescents and women.