NASFAT
NASFAT also known as Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria is a Nigerian Muslim prayer group sometimes referred to as a Muslim Pentecostal group.[1] The group has over one million members in Nigeria. The group organizes prayer fairs where the recitation of prayers can be done by all without the agency of a clergy.
History
The history of NASFAT can be traced to a prayer group formed by a few Yoruba elites and Muslim bankers in Ibadan on 28 July 1984. The prayer group which came to be known as Yusrullahi Society of Nigeria grew under direction of Murtada Akangbe. The growth of the group led to the establishment of sister branches in other Yoruba cities including Lagos. In 1995, the Lagos branch formed an independent group whose members became the core leaderhsip of Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria or NASFAT.
Activities
The groups holds modernist and reformist beliefs as regards to the equality of all Muslims. The major focus of the group is individual morality and piety along with education and socio-economic empowerment of its members.[2] NASFAT holds its weekly prayer meetings every Sunday morning at the Lagos State Government secretariat, Alausa. The organization also holds a yearly program tagged Lailatul Qadr at Mowe Village, Ogun State on an undeveloped land owned the group. The organization also established Fountain University.
References
- ↑ Lateef Mobolaji Adetona. NASFAT: A Modern Prayer Group and its Contributions to the Propagation of Islam in Lagos. World Journal of Islamic History and Civilization, 2 (2): 102-107, 2012
- ↑ Mustapha, Abdul Raufu. 2014. Sects and social disorder: Muslim identities & conflict in northern Nigeria. Woodbridge : James Currey, 2014. P. 75