The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on people all over the world not to ascribe crimes and acts of terrorism to Muslims.
The Sultan, who made the call yesterday during the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) General Assembly/National Executive Council meeting in Benin, said there are many bad people who are not Muslims.
“I am very glad that about two weeks ago, the Pope made a very strong statement defending Islam as a religion of peace. That is Pope, the leader of over two billion Catholics in the world. I think that is a message for all of us whether we are Muslims, Christians, Jews or whatever,” he said.
He added, “As Muslims, we want nothing but a very peaceful and stable Nigeria. Government at all levels should treat Muslims fairly. What is due to Muslims must be given to them. It is not a favour to us; it is our right. And we hold on to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that guarantees freedom of worship,’’
While noting that Nigeria is a multi-religious state, the Sultan warned that “we must allow the various religions to go on, we must not trample on each other’s rights. That means that I must be allowed to practise my religion as ordered by the Holy Quran and nothing else.’’
“Hijab and so many other things affecting Islam, I believe are our right, not a privilege, unless the Constitution is changed.”
Governor Adams Oshiomhole, on his part, noted that gatherings of that nature were good for the nation’s quest for peace.
He added, “As Muslims, we want nothing but a very peaceful and stable Nigeria. Government at all levels should treat Muslims fairly. What is due to Muslims must be given to them. It is not a favour to us; it is our right. And we hold on to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that guarantees freedom of worship,’’
While noting that Nigeria is a multi-religious state, the Sultan warned that “we must allow the various religions to go on, we must not trample on each other’s rights. That means that I must be allowed to practise my religion as ordered by the Holy Quran and nothing else.’’
“Hijab and so many other things affecting Islam, I believe are our right, not a privilege, unless the Constitution is changed.”
Governor Adams Oshiomhole, on his part, noted that gatherings of that nature were good for the nation’s quest for peace.
“I believe that those of us who are leaders, if we are guided by the fear of God, our policies will naturally be pro-people and our achievement or failure would be measured by the extent to which our policy imparted on the quality of life of the people”, he said.
He said the way to go is to inculcate the values of the two religions on individuals and also emphasize the teaching of Islam and Christianity in primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
He said the way to go is to inculcate the values of the two religions on individuals and also emphasize the teaching of Islam and Christianity in primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
