ELEGY FOR HAJIYA B. AISHA LEMU
by
Bala Muhammad
Three phenomena solidified Nigerian Muslim
unity North and South – Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN); Federation
of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN); and the present Sultan of
Sokoto. We have in the past celebrated MSSN’s Dr. Lateef Adegbite and His Eminence
Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad. Today, we reminisce on the life of FOMWAN Founder Hajiya
B. Aisha Lemu who died last week. I asked her associates to email in 100 words
apiece – got 12,000 words for a 1000-word Column! (For brevity, ‘Hajiya’ means Hajiya
B. Aisha Lemu and ‘Sheikh’ means Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Lemu, the husband, now about
93.)
Lesley Pyne, Hajiya’s Elder Sister (lesleypyne2013@gmail.com):
Aisha
Lemu (Bridget Anne Honey) was my beloved sister. Born 3 1/2 years after me, she
was my "little" sister. From the beginning, she was different. Had
powerful personality. Excelling in most things – music, art, languages and
sport. Always inquisitive. Enraptured by the Islamic faith and converted
whilst at London University. Thereafter with Alhaji [Sheikh] she put all her
energies into building and establishing the Islamic schools you know today, and
writing her books. We have got together every year with [her children] Nuru and
Maryam for many happy holidays. Will always remember her great sense of humour.
Her mimicry. Her "everything is possible"
attitude. So proud to call her my sister. R.I.P. Dootie. Will miss you
more than words can say.
Asma’u
Yahaya, Excel College, Kano/AMIS (asmauexcel@gmail.com):
First saw her when, as a child, I visited my sister at GGC Sokoto. We later met
at Da’awah Coordination Council meeting where she encouraged me to be part of
Association of Model Islamic Schools (AMIS). She was the Founder of this umbrella
body of Islamic-oriented schools and its first President. She was my mentor
when it fell on me to be the third President of AMIS. My challenges were easier
to handle with her guidance.
Prof
Aisha Mamman, ABU Zaria (aishamamman@yahoo.com):
She was the guardian Angel whose books directed me from childhood till date.
The Young Muslim was first. From her books I learnt Tauhid, cleanliness, purification,
prayer. I learnt ruqyah or exorcism. Courtship, marriage and motherhood
were made easy by publications like The Muslim Woman. Her departure is the
earthward descent of a meteorite that miraculously changed the world. I am
still A Young Muslim.
Mohammed
Haruna, Abuja (msquare1306@gmail.com):
I grew up in Minna so was privileged to have met and interacted with her. As
she sat behind the wheel driving around town in her signature headscarf, everyone
knew it was "Matan Sheik" [Wife of Sheikh]; a very religious
woman. She personified the Islamic Education Trust's philosophical worldview of
tolerance, accommodation and moderation in Islam.
Bilqis
Alatishe, Ilorin (bilqismuhammed@gmail.com):
From her books, I learnt more about Islam than the Islamiyyah we attended back
then. An epitome of knowledge, she had a way with expression and explanation
which kept one glued to the books. A fountain of knowledge that will never dry.
Chief Magistrate Maryam Sabo, mni, High
Court of Justice, Kano (maryams02@yahoo.com): An amazing woman who devoted her
life championing Islam. An extraordinary woman, an orator, a woman of
substance whose inspiring lectures and books I have listened to and read and gained
a lot from. Great impact on life!
Salawu
Zubairu, mni, PTA Vice Chairman, Sunrise School, Abuja (salawuzub@gmail.com): Her
contribution in the teachings of Islam created greater understanding among young,
old and even non-Muslims. Her involvement in establishing schools with Islamic
values with her husband has been of immense benefit to Muslim children and
their parents.
Zainab
Tukur, BUK Kano (zaintuk@gmail.com):
She represented hope, simplicity, sincerity, leadership, achievement. She showed
me what “practical” Islam should be. Her
passion was working for the Deen, and she did; that I can testify. She showed
us that helping to build the Ummah is not insurmountable.
Shuaibu
Gimba (former student New Horizons, Minna (shuaibugimba@gmail.com): She
was our mum. Our teacher. Our mentor. Until the very end, she generously shared
her kindness with everyone she encountered.
Ruqayyah
Sa’idu, University of Abuja (ruqayyahsaidu@gmail.com):
Her books were precise and educative; I still make reference to them. A great
writer who inspired Nigerian women to participate in Islamic activities by
organising and forming Islamic organisations. She led an exemplary life which
should be emulated by all.
Sadiya Adamu, MAFITA, Kano (sadiyaadamu80@yahoo.com): A
great woman, an epitome of peace, love and compassion; a bridge builder; an
innovator of great ideas; advocate of women's rights and responsibilities; mother
of community mobilisers; champion of the weak and needy; model wife and mother.
Halima
Sirajdin-Tijjani, former Headmistress Sunrise School and now Proprietress
Rightpath School, Dutse (sadiatijjani@gmail.com):
What endeared her to me was not just the smile but that sparkle in her eyes
whenever she spoke about Islam. She later became my employer. I was invited to
Minna for an interview and we spoke over tea and chatted like old buddies.
And that was the interview! It was quite a surprise when, after tea, I was introduced
as the new head of Sunrise School!
Dr.
Hauwa Umar Shuaib, ABUTH Zaria (hauwaumar63@yahoo.com):
I met her 12 years ago when, as an Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Scholar, I
was in Minna to see Sheikh. She was a strong advocate who fine-tuned the IDB
scholarship programme which helped many students to succeed academically. She
has done for Islam more than most born-Muslims could ever do!
Engr.
Yahaya Alfa Muhammad, Minna (alfayahya01@gmail.com):
Very accommodating, tolerant, energetic and willing to do lots of work. Also had
a listening ear.
Dr.
Aisha Garba Habib, IIIT Kano (aishaghabib2@gmail.com): A
wife, a mother and, above all, a servant of Allah to be emulated. Apart from
being a famous public intellectual, she was a model housewife and parent. Her
Da’awah works didn’t prevent her from her primary responsibilities.
Mariya
Sanusi Mahdi, The Light Schools, Kano (maiharara@gmail.com):
First contact was in 1984 through her book 'A Degree Above Them' from which I
realised my divinely-given status of woman. We first met physically in 1997 when
Kano first hosted FOMWAN National Conference. What an inspirational woman!
Amina
Ismail, NOUN, Kaduna (aminaismail66@gmail.com):
Her contribution to Islam was phenomenal. Inspiration to Muslim women, good
leader, role model for mankind. Particularly impressed with how she utilised her
time in fulfilling the purpose of life. In a lecture, her daughter Maryam described
her so aptly: “A woman who lived in the world of possibilities and believed
every goal is achievable.”
Sa’adatu
Hashim, Ameerah FOMWAN Kano (saahashim33@yahoo.com):
A mother, a mentor. Being founder of the organisation that I now lead in Kano,
she has done the work of her life. Sadaqa Jariya in sha Allah. Very rare for
women-only organisations to prosper as FOMWAN does. Why? Good leadership
structure, discipline, checks and balances etc which she put in
place.
Zainab
Sa’id Kabir, BUK, Kano (agaddabu@gmail.com):
How do I describe the most magnanimous person I ever knew? How do I explain the
multitude of ways she made people feel better? Or organisations she helped form,
people she inspired, lives she touched? This is a woman who gave her time and
talent to Islam. A saintly individual, so matchless, so meritorious.
APPRECIATION:
Sheikh Ahmed Lemu and family express their profound gratitude to Allah and
appreciation to all for the prayers for their departed mother Hajiya B. Aisha
Lemu. They appreciate the overwhelming testimonies of friends, students and
well-wishers who have been inspired by her.
FROM THE COLUMNIST: We had intended to open the New Year with a series on the 2019 Elections but, as Allah willed, Funtua (last week) and Hajiya Aisha (today) intervened. In sha Allah from next week until the elections, the series “MY VOTE IS…” FOR or AGAINST shall take over. Readers may email 100-word contributions on issues that may determine voting preferences.
No comments:
Post a Comment