“I WAS MET WITH LOVE AND RESPECT,” SHEIKH BASYOUNI REFLECTS ON EXPERIENCE AT 1UMMAH 2024 CONVENTION

The President of AlMaghrib Institute and Head of Islamic Theology and Ethics Department, Shaykh Waleed Basyouni, PhD, has shared his unforgettable experience during the 2024 Peace and Unity Convention organized by 1Ummah, held on November 16 and 17, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria.

Sheikh Waleed Basyouni, who was one of the speakers at the annual event, participated for the first time and couldn’t but pen down his wonderful experience.

Read Sheikh Waleed Basyouni’s experience at the 2024 PUC below

I have known about the Peace and Unity Convention for a long time; many of my friends and students have participated over the years. I have been invited more than once but always asked to be excused. This year, however, I decided to attend, even if it was just for a short period.

From the moment I arrived until the time I left, I was met with nothing but love and respect. Ibrahim, the immigration officer, welcomed me and mentioned that he was one of the organizers of 1Ummah. He took care of my visa and processed my passport, and what I appreciated most was that he didn’t try to cut any corners—he guided me through the entire experience. This taught me my first lesson: you can make someone feel special without breaking the rules.

Upon my arrival, I was greeted by Abu Baker, the Ameer of the conference, along with some of his team.

Thankfully, I had no checked luggage, so we quickly set off for the Fraser Suite Hotel. The drive was an adventure in itself, and I realized right away that navigating Abuja at night was an exhilarating experience.

We stayed at the Fraser Suite Hotel, where all the speakers were accommodated. The owner of the hotel generously sponsored our lodging and meals during the conference. May Allah grant barakah in his business!

I learned that when he took over the franchise, he insisted that nothing haram be served in the hotel, despite being warned that this could hurt his business. Yet, his hotel is now the best in the city, with higher occupancy than any other, and it is impeccably clean. Coming from someone who is a Diamond and Platinum member of several top hotel chains, I can attest to its quality. If you visit Abuja, please support his business.

This brought me to my second lesson: seek the pleasure of Allah, and He will please you in return.

The conference spanned Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. I appreciated that the sessions did not run late; I wish we could adopt this practice in the West.

The program featured a great mix of lectures and panel discussions, with both male and female speakers, as well as local and international perspectives. They even had programs specifically for children, teens, and adults, with tracks focused on family and business.

This is an important lesson for us: we must cater to everyone in the family during our events.

Throughout the conference, volunteers were present in the heat of the sun, assisting and directing traffic to different halls. What struck me was that I passed by many volunteers multiple times, and they were always smiling, welcoming me with phrases like “Welcome to Nigeria!” and “We are honored to have you here.” They all knew who I was, which is a stark contrast to past events where the person picking me up from the airport didn’t even know my name.

This reinforced another lesson: make your guests feel special, and I’m sure everyone at the convention felt welcomed and appreciated.

One speaker shared a story about qadar (divine decree) that resonated deeply with me. He recounted how, as a child, he faced bullying and other challenges that led him to learn swimming and martial arts. Years later, he was able to save his sister and her friend from drowning because he was the only one who knew how to swim that day.

This reminded me to always trust Allah’s plan for us.

Meeting Mufti Mink for the first time was a highlight. I loved how he took the time to engage with children and took pictures with them. He travels with friends, allowing those around him to learn and grow through shared experiences.

Sh. Mohammad Salah’s dedication to his online programs and classes is truly inspiring. He delivered lectures all day and then excused himself during dinner at Abu Baker’s house to teach a class for 30 minutes. May Allah bless him. I thought I cared deeply about my classes and students, but he is on another level, MashaAllah.

Another speaker, Brother Wa’al Ibrahim from Perth, Australia, who previously lived in Hong Kong, shared in one of his lectures insights on addiction to pornography that were phenomenal. I encourage you to look up his presentation online.

Dr. Yaser Qadi and Sh. Ammar Alshukri, both from my hometown, were also present. Seeing them in Nigeria, teaching and connecting with the community, made me say, Alhamdulillah. I have known them both since before they became influential figures, and it brought me great joy to witness their growth.

As a special gift from the conference, we were offered traditional Nigerian clothing made of beautiful fabric and design, which was delivered in less than 24 hours and crafted perfectly. Local brothers even came to take our measurements, insisting that they wanted to contribute to our experience.

The most touching moment came when we visited Abu Baker at his home and his mother came to greet us. She presented us with numerous gift boxes filled with clothing and other items.

She expressed that her true gift was the prayers she made for us in her salah for helping the community and honoring her son by accepting his invitation to the conference. Can you imagine receiving such heartfelt words from a woman in her late seventies?

We also had the privilege of meeting influential figures in Nigeria, including a former minister of environment who humbly came to the speaker lounge to thank us and welcome us to the country.

We had dinner at the home of the head of the National Petroleum Corporation, one of the most prestigious positions in the country. He served us, offered us Zamzam water, and hosts orphans each year, providing them with laptops and inspiring talks from scholars. This was a moment of reflection on how to use what Allah has given us to help those who are less fortunate and to invest in people through education.

At the end of the convention, the volunteers surprised me with a gift. They had sponsored a well in Nigeria for a community lacking access to clean water in my name. They promised to send me pictures of the project once it was completed. What a beautiful gesture, as it represents a continuous charity (sadaqah jariyah) in exchange for the knowledge I shared.

I was given a Nigerian name, “Sarkin Yaki,” which means Mujahid, but I believe they are the true Sarkin Yaki and Jarumi.

When asked for feedback for future conventions, I shared some points I loved about the convention.

When they asked me to name one thing that could have been better, I humorously replied that the only downside was that I had to leave early.

I pray that Allah continues to bless this convention and rewards the volunteers, attendees, and speakers abundantly. Nothing can express my gratitude better than saying, Jazakum Allah Khaira!