By Abdulquadri Olanrewaju
The National President (Sadr) of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Nigeria (MKAN), also known as Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Organization, Mr. Abdul Roqib Akinyemi has reiterated the need for Muslim youths to take up the responsibility of countering the misrepresentation of Islam through the power of the pen, urging writers to reclaim the true identity of Islam as a faith rooted in peace.
He made this known during the Virtual Writing Seminar on June 15th 2025, organized by Muslim Writers Guild, Nigeria, also known as Majlis Ansar Sultanul Qalam (MASQ) Nigeria, under the theme “Wielding the Sword of the Pen.”
Addressing participants at the virtual seminar, Mr. Akinyemi noted that the misuse of the word “Islam” in modern narratives continues to fuel stereotypes that equate the religion with violence. He emphasized that the revival of intellectual jihad through writing is not only timely but urgent. In his words, “In an age where Islam is often misrepresented and wrongly equated with violence, the need to reclaim its true identity as a faith rooted in peace has never been more urgent”, adding that the pen remains one of the most powerful tools in correcting such misperceptions and promoting the true teachings of Islam.
The seminar featured two key lectures designed to equip participants with both technical and creative tools for effective writing. The first presentation, titled “Building Blocks of Effective Writing: Sentences, Paragraphs, and Conversational Style,” was delivered by Al-Hafiz Yunus Omotayo, Office Manager at Muslim Television Ahmadiyya (MTA) Nigeria Studio. Omotayo emphasized the importance of sentence clarity, logical flow, and voice consistency in written communication. Using practical examples, he walked participants through the art of transforming basic sentence construction into coherent, engaging paragraphs. He also highlighted the value of a conversational tone in modern writing and urged attendees to write with empathy and clarity.
In the second lecture, Mallam Abbas Agbaje, Chairman of MASQ Nigeria, explored the expressive dimension of poetry in a session titled “Emotion to Expression: A Practical Guide to Writing Poetry.” Agbaje explained the differences between poetry written for the page and spoken word poetry, stressing that while written poetry often appeals to introspection, spoken word aims to connect with an audience in real time and often carries a performative impact. He encouraged young writers to draw from personal experiences, social issues, and divine inspiration, reminding them that poetry remains a timeless medium to stir thought, challenge injustice, and inspire change. “In every age, Allah inspires pens to rise and speak for truth. Poetry is not just rhythm and rhyme; it is a mirror of the soul, a voice for the voiceless, and a path to light in dark times,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Mallam Abbas Agbaje expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Sadr MKAN for his unwavering support. He reaffirmed MASQ’s commitment to raising a new generation of Muslim writers dedicated to truth, service, and the peaceful propagation of Islam. He described the seminar as part of the Guild’s broader mission to equip writers with both skill and spiritual purpose.
The MASQ Writing Seminar stands as a strong reminder of the need to reclaim the narrative — not with swords, but with pen, through ink, intellect, and inspired writing.
