20,000 Islamic scholars from Saudi, USA, others for confab in Nigeria

Prominent Islamic scholars from Saudi Arabia, the United States of America, Malaysia and several other countries have converged on Nigeria for a major international conference aimed at promoting sound Islamic creed as the foundation for social stability and moral order.

The scholars are participating in the 17th International Conference of the Daaru Na’im Academy for Shariah Sciences holding in Lagos from January 1 to 4, 2026.

The conference has drawn thousands of Muslim faithful, academics, traditional rulers, government officials and religious leaders across Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.

The opening session of the conference took place at the Daaru Na’im Eid Praying Ground, beside Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, Lagos, where more than 20,000 participants gathered physically, while thousands more joined virtually from different parts of the world.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the director-general and Chief Imam of Daaru Na’im, As-Shaykh Dr Imran AbdulMajeed Eleha, said the conference was convened to address contemporary challenges confronting Muslim societies, particularly those relating to belief, values and social cohesion.

He said the four-day event is themed: The Jurisprudence of the Sound Creed (Fiqh al-‘Aqīdah) and Contemporary Challenges and focused on reaffirming the centrality of correct Islamic belief in shaping responsible individuals and stable societies.

According to Eleha, many of the social, moral and ideological crises facing Muslim communities today are linked to deviations from sound Islamic creed, a situation further worsened by the activities of esoteric and deviant groups that falsely claim Islamic affiliation.

“These challenges require a united scholarly response grounded in authentic Islamic teachings and guided by knowledge, wisdom and moderation,” he said.

The conference features scholars and dignitaries from Saudi Arabia, the United States, Malaysia, Benin Republic, Ivory Coast, Algeria, The Gambia, Togo and other countries. Among the prominent participants are representatives of the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, scholars from leading Islamic institutions in North America and Asia, and officials of Islamic councils and universities across Africa.

The opening ceremony was conducted in Arabic, English, French, Hausa and Yoruba, reflecting the international and multicultural nature of the gathering.

Two special lectures were delivered in Yoruba by Professor Abdur-Razaq AbdulMajeed Alaro, a professor of Islamic Law and member of the Financial Regulation Advisory Council of Experts at the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Dr Muneerud-Deen Salahud-Deen Ariyady of the Lagos State University of Education.

Speaking on behalf of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria, Abubakar Sadiq Muhammad described the conference as timely and impactful, noting that it reinforces the foundational principle of Islam –  the oneness of Allah as the basis of all religious practice.

Royal fathers, senior judges of Shariah courts, scholars and community leaders also attended the event, offering prayers and goodwill messages for peace, unity and progress in Nigeria.

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