Sultan: Almajiri system of begging not representing Islam
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam ( JNI), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III has said that street begging by children, popularly known as Almajiri, does not represent Islam.
The sultan stated these in Kaduna on Sunday while presiding over the pre-Ramadan meeting of JNI’s Central Committee, at the JNI headquarters.
“Almajiri system of begging is not representing Islam and must therefore be distinguished from Islam. Islam encourages scholarship and entrepreneurship and frowns at laziness and idleness as exemplified by itinerant Almajiri,” Sultan said while delivering his opening remarks.
While noting that hunger and poverty were responsible for children begging on the streets, the Sultan charged the government, particularly at the state level to prioritise welfare of their citizens to address hunger and poverty.
“Therefore attempt must be made to stop the practice Almajiri system of begging among Muslim faithful,” the Sultan said, adding that state governments should strengthen institution of ‘Zakkat’ and endowment to address wanton poverty.
Prominent traditional rulers and Islamic scholars were in attendance at the meeting.
The event is an annual meeting meant to set modalities and guidelines for moon sighting and general Muslim conduct in the holy month.