In the spirit of Eid-el-Adha, the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque (LSCCM) hosted its 12th edition of Ileya Children Get-Together recently at LSCCM hall, Alausa, Ikeja.
The event brought together young Muslims for a day rich in faith, learning, Quran recitations and competitive quizzes to impactful lectures and creative outdoor games. With the theme “Resilient Youth in Troubled Times”, the gathering was designed to examine the power of spiritual growth, education, and unity in nurturing the next generation of Muslim leaders.
In his opening address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and the Chairman of the LSCCM Committee, Engineer Abdulhafiz Toriola, described the event as a platform to reconnect Muslim children with the essence of Eid-el-Adha and Islamic values.
“This is what we call an Ileya Children’s Party. It is not just about celebration, but about feeding our children spiritually, teaching them the meaning of worship, righteous living, and the beauty of Islamic brotherhood,” Toriola said.
The event, he said, serves as a reunion, revival, fiesta, a way to unite Muslim families, as well as remind our children why they are Muslims. The more they know, the better they live.
In her remarks, the Women Affairs Secretary of Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque (LSCCM), Mrs. Ramotalaih Ajayi-Lawal, highlighted the purpose of the programme, which is a way of engaging Muslim youth spiritually and socially.
The programme, she said, shows that Islam is not just about prayer and fasting, but a complete way of life. She advised children to reignite their potential and understand that they are the future of Islam.
In her lecture, Hajia Sherifah Andu, a Career Guidance Counsellor, engaged the youth in an interactive session on values, decision-making, and the consequences of choices. She introduced the concept of the “3Rs”, Right to Choose, Right of Choice, and Responsibility, stressing that temptation is not just about sin, but about the secret decisions we make that define us.
She urged participants to uphold virtues such as honesty, respect, and contentment. “Don’t be naïve, be wise. You have the right to make choices, but every choice comes with consequences. Remain steadfast and let your values guide you.”
Sheikh (Dr.) Munirudeen Salaudeen Ar-Rihyady from the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) spoke extensively on the spiritual and societal temptations confronting today’s Muslim youth. Addressing issues ranging from identity crisis to moral decay and social media addiction, and called for a return to strong Aqidah (creed) based on the Qur’an and Sunnah.
“The friends you keep shape your direction. A child can memorise the Qur’an and Hadith, but still derail due to bad company. That’s why parents and schools must guide the youth with counselling and focus,” Salaudeen said.
The occasion also features Qur’anic and quiz competitions, which showcased the knowledge, discipline, and dedication of the participating children, with Lawal Aleem emerging as the winner of the quiz competition, followed by Yinusa Fareedah and Adegbenro Rodiat in second and third places, respectively.
In the Qur’an recitation segment, Awwal Ummatulllah clinched the top spot with an impressive 86%, while Aishat Adenekan and AbdulKareem AbdulQoyyum followed with 80% and 78% respectively.
The event was concluded with prayers and words of encouragement, children and parents alike left with a renewed sense of faith and identity.
The 12th edition reaffirmed the mosque’s commitment to nurturing a future generation of Muslim leaders who are spiritually grounded, socially responsible, and academically prepared