Nigeria is finally seeing the demise of Boko Haram. As with any conflict, the Muslim Community in is faced with dealing with the adverse effects of the insurgency which include socio-economic aspects as well as the stigmatisation brought about by perceptions of islamic extremism. At the same time, Nigeria is currently undergoing an economic recession with the majority of its Muslims ill-equipped to navigate themselves through it. Thus, the choice of the theme for this year’s convention:

“Integration and Empowerment in Times of Conflict”

The Peace and Unity Convention 2016 aims:

1. To provide true knowledge and better understanding of Islam.
2. Discuss rehabilitation and integration of the Ummah after the fight against Boko Haram.
3. Highlight the need for the right approach to conflict management in current times.
4. Highlight individual responsibilities of Muslims towards moving the Ummah forward in the current economic recession.
5. Groom the younger generation for future responsibilities.

The Family Unit: An emphasis on defining roles in a marriage. The high rate of divorce in the Ummah is alarming and the disintegration of the family unit is playing a causal role in the dysfunction witnessed in the Ummah. Emphasis will be laid on defining the roles in a marriage to ensure unity.

Youth: Taking economic responsibility and giving back to the Ummah. The youth are not taking an active part in helping manage the current economic realities. Rather, they sit around and complain, and are unfamiliar with the concept of volunteering for the Ummah. Emphasis will be laid on raising the consciousness of the youth on the need to take a proactive role in the economy in line with the Shariah and the need to volunteer to grow the Ummah.

Teens: Responsibility starts now. This aims at laying a foundation for teenagers to begin proactively participating in building the Ummah.

The Ummah: The right of a Muslim over his fellow Muslim. This targets emphasizing the need for a collective consciousness towards the plight of the Ummah and the need to actively work towards creating opportunities that strengthens the Ummah’s social and economic power.