Connect with us

News

BUK, Ummah for Earth Launch Green Hajj and Umrah Guide in Hausa

Published

11 months ago

on

Participants at the launch

 

 

The Ummah for Earth Alliance, in partnership with the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Bayero University Kano (BUK), has launched a Hausa-language version of the Green Guide for Hajj and Umrah to promote environmentally responsible pilgrimage among Nigerian Muslims.

Speaking at the launch held at the Center for Dryland Agriculture, Professor Aliyu Salisu Barau of BUK’s Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences welcomed guests and emphasized the urgency of ecological awareness during Hajj. “As Muslims, we must reflect on how to perform Hajj responsibly, especially considering recent climate challenges,” he said, citing the deaths of over 1,300 pilgrims in 2023 due to extreme heat and 51-degree temperatures recorded at Masjid al-Haram during the 2024 pilgrimage.

Prof. Barau also noted that over 300 million litres of treated sewage are flushed daily into the Red Sea, underlining the environmental pressure the holy cities face during pilgrimage seasons. “This guide has been introduced in other languages like Malay and Hindi, but Nigeria—being among the top contributors of pilgrims—deserves one in Hausa,” he added.

Rianne Ten Veen, a representative of Ummah for Earth, highlighted that the alliance comprises over 50 organizations worldwide, working toward environmentally conscious Islamic practices. “Nigeria is leading in this space, and we are advocating for policy changes through initiatives like the Islamic Finance for Earth campaign,” she said.

Advert

Dr. Saidu Ahmad Dukawa, representing the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), expressed appreciation for the collaboration with BUK. “We’re proud to support this initiative that ties faith with environmental stewardship,” he said.

Book reviewer, Professor Murtala Uba, noted that Hausa is the tenth most spoken language globally and the most spoken in West Africa. “This 46-page guide shows how environmental values are embedded in Hajj rituals,” he said. He praised the simple, clear language and symbolic green and white cover but pointed out some errors. “For example, on page six, ‘ku guji’ was incorrectly written as ‘kugudi,’ and some Qur’anic verses like Wala tubazzir tabzeera were not fully contextualized to reflect broader meanings.”

Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, Chairman of the Kano Council of Ulama, stressed that protecting the environment is integral to Islamic conduct. “The Prophet said if the Day of Judgment comes while you’re planting a date, continue planting it,” he noted, adding that managing waste and limiting air pollution are critical during Hajj. “This is why building in Mina is discouraged to allow air circulation,” he explained.

He also emphasized the role of human behavior in environmental degradation. “If you want to clean the environment, you must first purify human conduct,” he said, citing Islamic teachings on health, hygiene, and moderation during Hajj.

Professor Amina Mustapha, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at BUK, closed the event by stating that universities must be at the forefront of knowledge dissemination. “Translating this guide into Hausa is critical, given the number of Hausa speakers who travel for Hajj annually,” she said.

NIGERIAN TRACKER reports that the guide encourages eco-conscious behaviors such as avoiding excessive water use during ablution, not littering, minimizing carbon footprints, and respecting animal and plant life—all rooted in Islamic teachings.

Related Topics:

News

Insecurity: US lawmaker accuses Matawalle of bribe attempt to silence recommendation calling for his sack

Published

2 hours ago

on

April 21, 2026

By

Governor Matawalle

 

Kimberly Daniels, a United States Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives for District 14, has alleged that Nigeria’s minister of state for defense, Bello Matawalle, attempted to bribe a US official to deflect the narrative of the United World Congress of Diplomats, UN-WCD, report.

The lawmaker made the claim in a viral video released on her official Facebook account on Monday.

She said Matawalle’s alleged move was to cover up the UN-WCD report on Christian genocide in Nigeria, which indicted him.

Daniels insisted that no amount of pressure can silence her stand against the killings of Christians in Nigeria.

Advert

“A US elected official was offered money by Nigeria’s minister of state defense, Bello Matawalle, to change the narrative of the UN-WCD Christian genocide in Nigeria report,” she said in the viral video.

Recall that Daniels, who doubled as the chairperson of UN-WCD, had called for President Bola Tinubu to remove Matawalle over alleged complicity in the killings in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and other parts of Nigeria.

Matawalle is yet to officially reply the US lawmaker.

Daniels alleged that following her recent press statement on what she described as targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, she came under pressure from individuals she linked to the minister, including what she characterised as attempts to discredit her report and “buy support” from US-based elected officials.

According to her, an unnamed American lawmaker allegedly received an offer of financial inducement to publicly counter her position and defend the Nigerian defence leadership.

She claimed to have received evidence of a communication, including a prepared statement and promotional material, purportedly linked to the minister.

She also claimed that the bribery attempt is meant to divide America elected officials not knowing that they are united.

Continue Reading

News

Just In:President Tinubu Sacks Minister Of Finance

Published

6 hours ago

on

April 21, 2026

By

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the membership of the Federal Executive Council.

According to a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, two cabinet members, Mr. Wale Edun and Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa are to leave the cabinet while their replacements have been named.

Edun, until the latest development, was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy. He has been directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Oyedele was formerly a Minister of State in the ministry.

Also Mr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma (PhD .) has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.

Advert

The memo also directed Dangiwa to hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry.

The memo stated that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026.”

Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).

The President thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.

The President, Akume noted, equally assured all cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”

Signed:

Yomi Odunuga,
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation

21-04-2026

Continue Reading

News

JUST IN: FG Files 13 Count Charges Against Alleged Coup Plotters

Published

14 hours ago

on

April 21, 2026

By

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. Among those named in the suit are a retired major general, a retired naval captain, a serving police inspector, and three other suspects.

Advert

According to security sources, the coup was scheduled to be executed on Nigeria’s Independence Day. However, the plot was uncovered after preparations and plans were leaked, leading to its successful disruption.

The development prompted the Federal Government to cancel the Independence Day programme—a move described as highly unusual by political observers.

Continue Reading

Trending