THE Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has organised its 4th annual Ramadan lecture at the Ijora – Olopa headquarters.
Speaking on the topic, “The Impact of Waste Management in the Environment: the Islamic Perspective”, the guest lecturer, Dr. Abdul Lateef Abdul Hakeem, noted that Islam touched all aspects of human lives, including the environment.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director/ CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin emphasised the importance of the holy month of Ramadan , describing it as a month of great blessings and spirituality. He added that the importance of cleanliness in Islam could not be overemphasised.
He said: “ The Almighty God is the Lord of cleanliness. No wonder Muslims perform ablution always, testifying to standing in a clean state before worshipping God. As we observe the Ramadan period with purification consciousness, I want to urge everyone not to go back to dirty habits that impact the environment negatively after the Ramadan“.
Gbadegesin appreciated the guest lecturer for creating time for the event, urging attendees to listen attentively to the topic of the day, which would be beneficial beyond the Ramadan period, while equally commending the entire LAWMA staff for their dedication and commitment to duty.
Explaining the significance of Islam on the environment and waste management, Dr. Abdul Hakeem noted that cleanliness in Islam begins from the heart, transcending to other aspects of life and the environment.
He said, “ Cleanliness is all encompassing. Almighty Allah has enjoined us to have a clean heart, removing all forms of malice and grievances from the heart leaves it in a clean state for worshipping God. Allah also wants us to put on clean clothes and above all, avoid wastefulness. All of these concepts embedded in waste management have references in the Quran and the prophet hadith. LAWMA’s mandate in Lagos State is a spiritual exercise because Almighty Allah detests any act of uncleanliness and a dirty environment . These can be found in Quran 2v 222, Q 27v 59-65, to mention a few. Therefore, You cannot worship Allah in a dirty environment’’ he noted.
The guest lecturer urged the attendees to support efforts at achieving a clean environment by paying their waste bills promptly. Citing references from the hadith of prophet Muhammad, he noted that Islam enjoins Muslims to be ambassadors of their environment by picking dirty and harmful objects off the road when they come across them, adding that the prophet warned Muslims from going into a town when there is an epidemic .
“Prophet Muhammad,(SAW), commented on cleanliness especially when there is epidemic because he knows the repercussion of an epidemic, which can be borne out of uncleanliness, urinating into a stagnant water and defecating under trees and disposing waste on the road are all prohibited as unsanitary acts for believers”
Abdul Hakeem therefore urged the Muslim ummah to have good reorientation on cleanliness and purification and above all, follow Allah’s commandments and be righteous Muslims.
In his goodwill message, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Ridwan Akiolu, represented by the Olorogun Agbeje of Lagos, Chief Waidi Olalekan Yussuf appreciated the efforts of LAWMA in the state, encouraging the Muslim ummah to embrace cleanliness, the teachings of Ramadan and remain conscious Muslims at the end of the exercise.
Also in her remarks, the managing director of Lotus Bank, Alhaja Kafilat Araoye, represented by the Relationship Manager, Victoria Island Branch, Mr. Abdul Rasheed Ajao, enjoined the Muslim faithful to instill the lessons of Ramadan in their daily lives and be good ambassadors of the environment.
Prayers were offered for Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCON), the Nation, the State and in particular, Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Lawma team led by Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin and the entire environment family.
Present at the event were; The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Omobolaji Tajudeen Gaji; the Chief Imam of Otto. Alhaji Nasirudeen Onitolo; the Chief Imam of Ijora Olopa, Alhaji Abdullah Sanni; LAWMA management staff, and Otto Muslim community, among others.
