In an era defined by digital connection, a leading academic has issued a compelling call to action for the global Muslim community. Prof. Umar Pate, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Kashere in Gombe State, has urged the faithful to strategically harness new media platforms to propagate Islamic values worldwide. This directive, delivered during the inauguration of the Adamawa Muslim Council’s newly elected executives in Yola, frames digital engagement not as a mere option, but as a critical contemporary responsibility for Da’wah (Islamic outreach).
Prof. Pate’s argument is rooted in the unprecedented connectivity of our time. “With the Internet,” he noted, “within a second, people can connect with anyone in the world.” This technological leap presents a historic opportunity to share the message of Islam with scale and speed previously unimaginable. However, his vision extends beyond simple communication; it advocates for a sophisticated, values-driven approach to the digital space.
The professor contextualized this call within the broader landscape of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, highlighting its profound societal impact. He pointed to forecasts suggesting that in the next five years, 92 million jobs may vanish due to advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics, even as 120 million new roles are created. This stark transition underscores a pivotal moment: the tools shaping our future economies are the same tools that can shape global discourse and values. For Muslim communities, engaging with these technologies is essential to remain relevant and influential in a rapidly evolving world.
Central to Pate’s message was a powerful moral and spiritual framing of digital media’s dual nature. “The new media can take a person to Paradise if used positively,” he stated, “and it can also lead someone to hellfire when used negatively.” This stark dichotomy elevates online conduct from a matter of etiquette to one of spiritual consequence. It calls for intentionality, urging users to move beyond passive consumption to active, principled creation and sharing.
To navigate this dual-edged sword, Pate offered clear, practical guidance. He advised extreme caution to avoid the pervasive pitfalls of the digital age: hate speech, fake news, misinformation, and malinformation (the deliberate sharing of false information to harm). Instead, he championed the development of digital literacy as a core competency for effective Islamic work. “It’s good to have knowledge of handling new media for effective utilisation,” he emphasized, outlining its potential for promoting Da’wah, enhancing organizational coordination, disseminating important announcements, and fostering skills development within the community.
The event also featured remarks from other dignitaries who reinforced the theme of responsible leadership. Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, represented by Commissioner Alhaji Abdullahi Pranbe, tasked the new council executives with ensuring justice and fairness. He specifically called on clerics to propagate Islam without bias and to exercise careful control over their public utterances—a caution highly applicable to both pulpits and podcasts.
Similarly, the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustapha, represented by Alhaji Ahmed Rufa’i, urged the new leadership to redouble efforts in fostering Muslim unity, recognizing that internal harmony is a prerequisite for effective external propagation.
In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated Chairman of the Adamawa Muslim Council, Alhaji Gambo Jika, thanked the community for their trust and pledged to continue working for unity and progress. His commitment reflects the broader challenge: to integrate these digital imperatives into the enduring institutional work of Islamic councils.
Prof. Umar Pate’s address ultimately provides a strategic framework for the 21st-century Muslim community. It moves the conversation from *whether* to engage with new media to *how* to do so with wisdom, skill, and ethical integrity. It positions digital fluency and ethical communication not as secular skills, but as modern instruments for fulfilling a timeless mission, ensuring that Islamic values are not drowned out by the digital noise but are amplified within it with clarity and purpose.
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