The Islamic movement and advocacy in its contemporary history in Côte d’Ivoire were distinguished by the emergence of leadership and scientific figures who carry the concerns of society, work to reform it, and have visions and forward-looking insight that made them a beacon of reform and a source of societal respect and appreciation.
Dr. Adam Fofana is one of those talented reformers, and he passed away on Thursday, 12 Dhu al-Hijjah 1442 AH, corresponding to July 22, 2021 AD, leaving behind a group of reform projects, educational and advocacy… Completing these projects poses a challenge to his heirs and guardians, and here comes the question: What are these projects and how are they completed? In this article, we try to address these points with some brevity.
First: The project of building the Muslim family:
A number of experiences indicate that if scholars, preachers and reformers are afflicted with the calamity of death, their families (wives and children) become victims of deep and old family differences in which they had no choice and sometimes did not participate, or they suffer from neglect and the unjust consumption of their money, or they are diverted from the direction and desire of their father in raising and educating, and each of these matters is a factor in the loss of the family and the demise of the project of building the Muslim family, and a challenge from the challenges that await the Fofana family, knowing that the Fofana family is a people of jurisprudence and religion, and chivalry and magnanimity, but that does not make the article guilty of not paying attention to this aspect, and to seek good treatment of the family of the deceased, as it is most likely that Dr. Adam had a vision and a direction in raising his children and wives, so his guardians must preserve his influence in raising his family.
Second: The Islamic University of Al-Birr Project:
Dr. Adam carried the concerns of society and interacted with the pains of the Muslim community. The absence of an Islamic university in which the sons of Muslims receive religious education and qualify them academically and in preaching was an aspect of the weakness of the Muslim community and a deficiency in the path of the Islamic awakening, especially in the city of Bouaké, the second city after the capital, Abidjan. With the grace of God Almighty and the help of his friends from abroad, Dr. Adam was able to establish an Islamic university in the city of Bouaké bearing the name “Islamic University of Al-Birr” nearly three years ago. Knowing that the university is in the process of construction and establishment, the man’s ambition insisted on starting studies in it in response and interaction with the requirements of the educational community. Adam’s guardians, friends, and the system working in the university must be keen to complete the construction of the university project and work on developing it, and the new administration must be up to the challenge of responsibility in order to achieve Dr. Adam’s dreams, contribute to serving Arab-Islamic education, and provide an opportunity to employ workers. In return for the favor and connection to history, I suggest changing the name of the university to “Adam Fofana Islamic University”.
Third: The project of working in Salafi institutions:
The Salafi group, known by the acronym “AMSCI”, has witnessed a remarkable renaissance and development for more than a decade, not only in movement and advocacy, but also in intellectual stability, behavioral control, and realism in visions and orientation… This distinguished Ivorian Salafism and gave it a special appeal, which enabled it to prove its presence at the national and regional levels. This is due to the return of a group of graduates from Arab and Islamic universities, especially Saudi Arabia, who hold advanced academic degrees and hold prestigious positions within Salafi entities. Dr. Adam was one of these graduates, as he was the president of the National Academy of Scholars (ANAO), which represents the highest academic and religious position together, not only within the Salafi entity, but also at the entire Ivorian national level. There is no doubt that searching for another one at this stage represents a major challenge not only for the Salafi entity, but also for the Muslim community in Côte d’Ivoire. Salafi entities and their organizations must reconsider a number of files. Looking for a suitable man in a suitable place.
Fourth: Work project at Al-Furqan Islamic University:
Dr. Adam was the Dean of the Faculty of Sharia at Al-Furqan Islamic University in Abidjan, and he did what he could to develop the faculty. He is aware of the existence of leadership and scientific figures in the faculty, but his death will create a leadership and scientific gap not only in the Faculty of Sharia, but in the entire university, so the matter must be taken seriously, and the workflow in the faculty must be reconsidered, so that it can fully fulfill its mission. In a step to develop the faculty, I suggest naming one of the study halls after Dr. Adam Fofana…
Fifth: Work project at the Mus’ab bin Umair Mosque:
Dr. Adam built a mosque that he named “Mu’sab bin Umair” in the Riviera Palmeraie neighborhood. He was the regular imam at the mosque, and he had scientific circles attended by Al-Ma’mun weekly. His deputies and the mosque committee must ensure the continuity of the circles, even if it leads to cooperation with other scientific figures outside the mosque.
Conclusion:
The institutions working for Islam in Côte d’Ivoire, despite their multiple entities and organizations, have a degree of understanding and cooperation between them, which is what distinguishes Muslims in this country. This understanding and rapprochement appeared in the funeral of Dr. Adam Fofana in particular, as all national Islamic institutions, including advocacy and media, participated in the funeral and praised the deceased – regardless of their intellectual and sectarian affiliations. This is an approach that must be encouraged and blessed, and indicates that the unity of the Muslim ranks and strengthening them is not impossible, and that preachers and reformers must be a good example for everyone, and that opportunities for rapprochement and understanding between these entities must be expanded and the exchange of respect and unification of ranks must be strengthened to preserve the interests of Islam and Muslims.
May God forgive Dr. Adam Fofana and have mercy on him and admit him to Paradise with the friends, martyrs and righteous, and good companions are those, and inspire his family with patience and good reward, to God we belong and to Him we shall return.
Dr. Hassan Sisi – Al-Furqan Islamic University, Abidjan
