Dr. Waleed Basyouni, who arrived in Nigeria on Wednesday for the very first time to share his knowledge and connect with the community at the One Ummah Peace and Unity Convention 2024 this weekend, yesterday shares his experience in the country’s capital city on his social media page.
He said, ‘‘I arrived in Abuja late Wednesday night, filled with anticipation for the days ahead. On Thursday, I had the privilege of meeting with over 150 Imams from the Abuja region. After the Asr prayer, I addressed them, sharing insights and some of our experiences in the US as a Muslim community.
‘‘Later in the evening, I visited the National Mosque, the largest mosque in Africa. The dome, a magnificent sight, was donated by Saudi Arabia and is adorned with gold plating. Despite being built in the 1980s, it shines as if it were brand new—truly a testament to its beauty and the dedication behind its construction.
‘‘On Friday, I delivered the khutbah at the main mosque for Jama’at Removing Bid’ah and Establishing the Sunnah (IBWIS), an organization that boasts over 10,000 mosques across Nigeria. It was an honor to speak to such a large and dedicated audience. After Asr, I had the opportunity to address the students at Nail University of Nigeria, sharing the microphone with the esteemed Sh. Wail Ibrahim.
‘‘Tomorrow, insha’Allah, the One Ummah Peace and Unity Convention will commence. I pray that Allah blesses our efforts with barakah and sincerity.
‘‘Visiting Muslims in Africa has been an incredibly uplifting experience. I feel safe, loved, and surrounded by a deep care for Islam. This journey has truly boosted my iman, and I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with such passionate individuals.’’
‘‘May our efforts continue to strengthen our community and promote unity,’’ he prayed.
Shaykh Waleed Basyouni, PhD, is the President of AlMaghrib Institute and Head of our Islamic Theology and Ethics Department. Students know him well for his sincere care for their well-being and progress in study. We see Shaykh Waleed as not just our senior scholar, but one of the most important leaders of the da‘wah in the West.
He graduated with a Bachelor in Islamic Sciences from Al-Imam Muhammad University (KSA), did his Master’s in Islamic Theology, World Religions and Modern Religious Sects from Al-Imam Muhammad University, and achieved a Doctorate in Theology from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Indiana.
Shaykh Waleed Basyouni has made numerous appearances in media around the world including CNN, Islam Channel, and Al-Huda Channel. He is an Imām, and active member of a number of Islamic organizations and Islamic Societies such as NAIF, and is a Director of the Texas Da‘wah Convention. Shaykh Waleed also gives fatwa as a member of the American Muslim Jurists Association (AMJA).
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