A former Grand Khadi of Bauchi state, Abdullahi Yakubu Marafa has revealed that Islamic religion does not prevent Muslim women from participating in political activities.
The Khadi explained that, women can take part in politicking so long as their participation is within the bounds of the teachings of Islam.
The former grand khadi stated this yesterday while presenting a paper tittled “Islamic perspective on the role of a women in political and economic empowerment”.
The program was organised by Fahimta women and youth development initiative in collaboration with Action aid under it’s women voice and leadership project.
“The Qur’an has made it clear that there is equality between men and women with regards to their rights, duties and moral values”, Marafa noted. .”Although government at all levels are doing their best to engage women in viable ventures, Islamic religion has opened a number of doors for economic and political empowerment of women” he added.
Also presenting a paper on a Christian perspective on the same topic, former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Bauchi, Reverend Shuaibu Byel expressed dismay on how women are relegated to the background in politics and decision making.
The CAN Chairman who quoted verses from Holy Bible where Adam and Eve were created by God to compliment each other to buttress his point, challenged women to shun envy and jealousy in order to embrace the struggle collectively.
He pointed out that Christian woman as citizens of this country has equal rights with their male counterparts to vie for any elective position.
The Cleric appealed to women organizations both national and international to support one to another while participating in politics and decision making for the betterment of the society.
On his part, Chairman of the occasion, Alh Nuru Adamu Jumbawho said the event is apt described women as better managers that when given the opportunity will provide quality leadership for all.
Jumbo, the District head of Bauchi who was represented by Zailani Mahmood assured the gathering of his readiness to support support women at all times, especially with regards to their participation in politics and decision making.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the executive director of Fahimta women and youth development initiative, hajiya Maryam Garba said, the project is being sponsored by global affairs Canada through Action aid Nigeria with four implementing partners in Bauchi (rahama, ashh foundation, FOMWAN and Fahimta).
Hajiya Garba explained that, currently the project covers 9LGAs of Alkaleri, Bauchi, Giade, Ningi, Dass, Gamawa, Dambam, T/balewa, Toro in addition to twelve CBOs to support the implementation.
“it is a great concern to us in Fahimta organization in Bauchi state out of 323 councilors, only four are women, only one commissioner amidst 20 male commissioners, no single woman in both local government chairmanship and house of assembly representation”, Shannon said.
Adding that, “this is an issue that needs to be looked into”.
The meeting received good will messages from representatives of Bauchi state ministry of women affairs, FIDA, NCWS, international alert, women for women international and league of women voters respectively.
