Scholars Call for Improved Documentation and Sanitation in Lagos Mosques

In a call to action, Islamic scholars and experts have warned that poor documentation, weak governance, and inadequate sanitation threaten the sustainability of some mosques in Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial hub. The warning was issued at the annual program of the Mosque Guidance and Development Lagos Initiative (MGDLI), held in Lagos on Sunday. The program, themed ‘Building Better Mosques: Documentation, Good Governance’, emphasized the need for improved documentation, better management, and enhanced sanitation in the city’s mosques. According to Punch Newspapers, the scholars pointed out that these issues could undermine the mosques’ ability to serve their communities effectively and could potentially pose health risks to worshippers.

The call comes amidst growing concerns about the state of some mosques in Lagos, particularly those that have outgrown their original structures due to increased attendance. The scholars urged mosque leaders to prioritize proper documentation, including the registration of new members, and to establish effective management structures to ensure the smooth running of the mosques.

‘We cannot afford to have mosques that are poorly managed and lack basic amenities,’ said one of the scholars, Dr. Abdulazeez Abubakar, during the program. ‘We must strive to maintain clean and safe environments for our worshippers, and to document our members effectively so that we can better understand and serve their needs.’

The MGDLI is an initiative aimed at promoting best practices in mosque management and development in Lagos. The organization has been organizing annual programs since 2018, attracting scholars, imams, and other stakeholders in the mosque community.