Muslims are not behind violence in Nigeria – Islamic cleric

The Custodian June 30, 2014

The Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has kicked against the notion that all Muslims are terrorists.

Oloyede who stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 9th Ramadan Lecture of Muslim Media Professionals of Nigeria (MMPN) in Abuja called on the federal government to stand strongly against the security challenges in the country.

According to him, “Muslims are not responsible for the violence in the country. Muslims are for peace. If there is any problem, it is a failure of the system.”

The Muslim cleric who gave a keynote address on “Peace and Leadership: The Missing Link” added that there “cannot be peace without justice. Our appeal is that the Federal Government should be just to all segments of the society.”
Speaking on the theme of the lecture, the guest speaker, Prof. Musa Abdur-Raheem said that for peace to reign, there must be justice.
“Boko Haram are not representing Islam, Muslims are for peace and most of the victims of Boko Haram attacks are Muslims,” he said.
He called on leaders in the country to live up to expectations by urgently addressing the nation’s security challenges.
Declaring the event open, a representative of Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Alhaji Hamidu Kadi-kuta, called on Muslim faithful to use the Ramadan period to pray for peace and unity of the country.

Earlier, Chairman of the Association, Abdurrahman Balogun, urged politicians in the country to play politics according to the rules of the game.
“As 2015 general elections approaches, politicians should play the game according to the rules.
“They shoulf fear Allah in all their dealings and remember that everyone will account for all deeds in the hereafter,” Balogun added.