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The Man Who Designed The Two Holy Mosques, Dr. Muhammad Kamal Isma’eel (1908 – 2008)

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Muhammad Kamal

 

 

He was an Egyptian engineer and architect who preferred to be away from public limelights, unknown to many:

 

Dr. Muhammad Kamal Isma’eel

(1908 – 2008)

 

He was the youngest person in the history of Egypt to obtain high school (certificate), the youngest to get enrolled in the first Royal School of Engineering and the youngest to graduate from it, the youngest to be sent to Europe to obtain three doctorate degrees in Islamic Architecture.

 

He was also the youngest to obtain the “Nile” scarf and the rank of “Iron” from the king.

 

He was the first engineer who undertook the planning and implementation of the (Haramain) Makkah and Madinah mosques expansion project.

 

He refused to receive any payment for his engineering design and architectural supervision, despite efforts by King Fahad and Bin Laden Company.

 

 

When he returned a cheque of millions he told Bakar Bin Ladan:

 

“Why should I accept money (for my work) at the two sacred mosques, how will I face Allah (on the Day of Judgement?).”

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He married at age of 44 years, his wife gave birth to a son, and died. And thereafter he remained single and devoted his full-time in worshiping Allah until he died.

 

He exceeded hundred years which he spent in the service of the two holy mosques, far from the mass media limelight, fame and money.

 

This genius has an amazing story in regards to the marble (work) of Haram Shareef (Holy mosque), as he wanted to cover the floor of the Haram mosque for those making ‘tawaf’. And marble in particular to absorb heat.

 

 

This marble was only available in a small mountain in Greece.

 

He travelled to Greece and signed a contract buying sufficient quantity for haram (marbling); almost half of the mountain.

 

He signed the deal and returned (to Makkah) and the white marble came (in stock). And indeed the placement of the marble on the floor of the Holy mosque in Makkah was completed.

 

After 15 years, the Saudi government asked him to place similar type of marble in the Holy mosque in Madinah.

 

Engineer Muhammad Kamal said,

When the King asked him to cover the Prophet’s ﷺ mosque too with the same marble, I got very confused, because there was only one place on the earth to get this type of marble, that was Greece, and I have already bought half of the then available.

 

Kamal said that he went to the same company in Greece and met the CEO, and asked him about the quantity that remains.

 

The CEO said that it had been sold immediately after you left 15 years ago. Kamal became very sad.

 

Kamal left the meeting and while leaving their office, he met the office secretary and requested her to please share the where abouts of the person who purchased the rest of the marble quantity?

 

She replied that it would be hard to know from such old records.

Upon Kamal’s request, she promised to search in the old records.

Kamal gave her hotel address & number, and promised to revisit her next day.

 

Kamal said that while leaving Office, he thought; why do I want to know who bought (it)?

Soliloquising to myself, Allah will make something wonderful to happen.

 

On the next day, few hours before leaving to airport, Kamal received a phone call from the secretary saying that she had found the address of the buyer.

 

Kamal went to their office in slow pace thinking what would I do with the address of the buyer, as many years had passed?

 

Kamal reached to office and the secretary gave him the address of the company who bought the rest of the marble.

 

Kamal said that his heart pulsated and pumped deeply the moment he discovered that the company which bought the marble was a Saudi company.

 

Kamal flew to Saudi Arabia the same day and upon arrival, he went straight to the office of the company who bought the marble and met the Director Admin, and asked him what he had done with the marble he purchased many years ago from Greece.

 

He said, I can’t remember.

He contacted the stock room (of the company) and asked them about the white marble from Greece and they told him that all the quantity is available; was never used.

 

Kamal started crying like a baby, and further narrated the full story to the owner of the company.

 

Kamal gave the owner a blank cheque, and asked him write the amount you want.

When the owner came to know that the marble is for the mosque of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, he said I will not accept even one Riyal.

 

Allah made me to purchase this marble and to forget about it, it was meant to be used for the mosque of the Holy Prophet ﷺ.

 

May Allah bless Kamal the Highest place in ‘Jannah’ – Ameen.

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History

Today in History: Former Senate President Chuba Okadigbo Was Gassed To Death

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Late Dr Chuba Okadigbo
Late Dr Chuba Okadigbo

By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

On September 23, 2003, the vice-presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, Chief William Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo, was allegedly gassed at Kano Pillars Stadium by security agents during a rally of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), led by the opposition candidate in the 2003 general elections, General Muhammadu Buhari (retired).

The ANPP and its candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, staged the opposition rally at Sani Abacha Stadium as a prelude to their court case at the Presidential Election Tribunal in Abuja, led by Justice Umaru Abdullahi.

The rally, which had thousands of Buhari’s supporters in attendance, was graced by the new Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, his late Deputy, Engineer Magaji Abdullahi, Hajiya Najaatu Muhammad, and John Nwodo Junior.

The ANPP National Chairman, Chief Donald Etiebet, also attended the rally. However, apart from Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, the rest of the ANPP Governors were not in attendance, including Ahmad Sani Yerima of Zamfara, Adamu Aliero of Kebbi, the late Bukar Abba Ibrahim of Yobe, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno, and Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa of Sokoto.

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Aware of Dr. Chuba Okadigbo’s health condition, the then Federal Government under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo did not want the rally to proceed. Security personnel mounted the entrance to Kano Pillars Stadium to prevent entry into the field until the Kano Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, ordered the youth to break the gate, allowing the opposition figures to enter.

Upon entering the stadium, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau chastised his predecessor and the then Minister of Defence, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for not visiting Kano since handing over power on May 29, 2003. He referred to Kwankwaso as “Ministan tsoro,” meaning “Minister of Fear.”

On returning to Abuja, the late William Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo died on Friday, September 25, 2003, following the alleged gassing by security agents at Kano Pillars Stadium.

Dr. Chuba Okadigbo was the political adviser to former President Shehu Shagari during the Second Republic. He hailed from Oyi Local Government in Anambra State.

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History

Meet Nigeria’s First Professor Of History

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The first professor in Nigeria was Professor Kenneth Dike (1917-1983). He was a renowned historian and academic who made significant contributions to the field of African history and culture.

Professor Dike was born in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, and received his early education in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He earned his Ph.D. in history from the University of Aberdeen in 1950 and returned to Nigeria to teach at the University College, Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan).

In 1956, Professor Dike became the first Nigerian to be appointed as a professor, serving as the Professor of History at the University of Ibadan. He was a pioneer in the field of African history and wrote several influential books, including “Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta” and “A Hundred Years of British Rule in Nigeria”.

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Professor Dike’s achievements and contributions to education and academia have been recognized and celebrated in Nigeria and beyond. He remains a celebrated figure in Nigerian history and an inspiration to generations of scholars and academics.

 

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History

Late Haruna Kundila: The Pre Colonial Wealthiest person in Kano

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By Jamilu Uba Adamu

Late Mallam Sa’adu Zungur (1915 – 1958) in his song Arewa Mulukiya ko Jamhuriya said;

“Ya Sarki Alhaji Bayero,
Ga Yan birni da Kanawiya.

Tun Bagauda na saran Kano, Suka fara fataucin dukiya.”

Throughout its history Kano State have been a trading and important commercial center. History have shown that Kano has produced quite a number of wealthy individuals that their names will always be there in the annals of history.

The ability of Kano and Kanawa to create wealthy individuals did not start in this modern era. The like of Madugu Indo Adakawa, Muhammadu Dan Agigi, and Madugu Dangomba, Umaru Sharubutu, Mai Kano Agogo, Alhasasan Dantata, Adamu Jakada, Muhammad Nagoda and many others were among the wealthy individuals that Kano produce.

Late Alh. Haruna Kundila (1810 – 1901 ) was known for his great wealth and fortune in the pre-colonial Kano during the reign of Emir Abdullahi Maje Karofi and his successor Emir Bello Ibrahim Dabo.

There was this popular Hausa saying attributed to him ; Bana siyarwa bane ya gagari Kundila, literally meaning that there is nothing Kundila can’t afford to buy unless if it is not for sale, because of his massive wealth and purchasing power.

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Haruna Kundila was born in 1810 at Makwarari Quarters in Kano city.

The story about his source of wealth says that ” one day when he came out from house, he met Mallam Sidi ( according to the story Mallam Sidi, is a Pious God fearing Islamic teacher, that many people believe that he is a “Waliyyi’ ) and Mallam Sidi asked Kundila how he can help him get those that can evacuate his sewer pit ? Kundila answered him in positive. When he checked and couldn’t find anyone to do the job, he decided to do it by himself. When the Mallam came back and asked him weather he find out the people? He told him that the people have already came and do the work, Mallam Sidi asked him again “How much they were supposed to be paid for the work? But suddenly someone that witness how Kundila did the work alone, intercede and told Mallam that Kundila do the work by himself. When the Mallam heard that, he shake his head and said; To , Insha Allahu,duk inda warin masan nan ya buga gabas da Yamma, Kudu da Arewa sai kayi suna ka shahara an sanka ”

History tell us that Haruna Kundila who was a slave trader in those days, had a trade relations with traders coming to kano from foreign countries such as Mali,Sudan,Libya, Senegal,Damagaram,Agadas,Garwa,Duwala,Bamyo and Fallomi.

In his heyday’s, there is no one in Kano with Kundila’s wealth. Kundila was very rich and had estates by each of the city gates (Kofofi). It was said that he owned more than one thousand slaves. In fact he was the wealthiest trader in Nineteen century Kano.

The reason behind the name Kundila; history tell us that, Haruna has a younger sister named Binta who follows him in birth. After she grew up, one day Haruna went home and found his sister in thier mother’s room, he said to her ” Please Binta, “Miko min Kundina” the sister started to be repeating the words “Ina Kundina? Ina Kundina? Since that time the name Kundila followed him for the rest of his life. Up till today some Government housing estate in Kano bear the name, example Kundilar Zaria road.

It was said that when he died in 1901 (two years before the British Conquest of Kano) Kano was shaken for the loss of one the greatest wealthiest individual in it’s history.

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