The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, says the active participation of everyone is needed for democracy to thrive?in a pluralised society.
Tambuwal said this?in Abuja on Saturday at the 2012 Nigerian Muslims and Democracy Conference (NMDC) with the theme: “ The Political Future of Muslims in Democratic Nigeria’’.
The Speaker advised?Muslim leaders?to take into cognisance their differences and not?pretend that they did not exist, when discussing issues that could potentially affect the nation.
“To recognise them is to respect them and to take them into consideration when discussing issues that can potentially affect the whole nation.
“To recognise them is to be mindful of the various groups that live in a nation such as ours and not take any group for granted.’’
He enjoined the group not to dwell unduly on its differences rather, it?should be sensitive to?the realities on ground.
Tambuwal noted that?every nation had its challenges, adding that?failure to discuss them eventually led to crisis.
“ In any case, many of the issues that face us as a nation are not as grievous as they appear. They are mostly problems common with any developing democracy.
“With time and more efforts, many of these problems will be overcome.’’
He promised that the House of Representatives would support the efforts of the?group toward the enthronement of a better democratic arrangement.
The Speaker commended the organisers of the conference for bringing Muslims together to add their voices to the pool of opinion in a pluralised society.
Responding, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III,?emphasised the need for Muslims to always voice out their opinion.
Abubakar said that?dialogue among religions and cultures must be maintained ?to ensure???? to ensure a peaceful and stable nation.
Among personalities who attended the conference were?a former Kano State GovIbrahim??Shekarau, the Executive Secretary, Ummah of South West Nigeria, Prof. Dawood Noibi, and the former Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Dr Usman Bugaje. (NAN)