The Chairman of the Council of Ulamas of the Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’ikamatus Sunnah JIBWIS Sheik Sani Yahaya Jingir has advised all Muslims in Nigeria not to violently protest the video against Islam that led to? violence in Libya and some parts of the middle east.
The Islamic scholar who spoke yesterday in Minna at the closing ceremony of the National Quranic recitation competition of JIBWIS also said any form of violence negates Islamic teachings, pointing out that the bombing and violence perpetrated in recent times across the country has not brought any progress to the North.
Jingir said since it has not brought any progress it was about time any form of insurgency was stopped, adding that those behind the violent attacks should embrace peace “even if they continue for hundred years it would not be of any benefit to Islam and the people of Nigeria”.
He said those who were holding positions of authority should however, be just and fair to all as that was the only way to bring about peace and progress to Nigeria and her people and also curtail tendencies like the dreaded Boko Haram.
The chairman of the Ulamas also advised against any violent protest against the blasphemy video against Prophet Mohammed SAW and Islam, but condemned the video which he alleged must have had the backing of American authorities because America has the capacity to stop the production of such a firm through its security network.
“The person that did the firm is in America, he is not a Nigerian so don’t attack any Nigerian or anybody. We are good people in Nigeria it will be injustice for any Muslim to attack any Christian in Nigeria based on that Islam abhor that, the only thing I can do is to avoid all American products, I urge you all, those in other Islamic countries should do same, and see if Americans will not come and beg” he declared.
Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar toed the line of the chairman of the council of Ulamas? and asked Muslims to avoid violence and promised continued collaboration between Islamic leaders and the Traditional Rulers in the North.
He urged all Muslims to always work in the path of justice and truth built on patience and peace as enjoined by the teachings of Islam. He urged the organisers of the quranic recitation to always develop programmes for winners of the recitation to continue to contribute to Islam after the competition by seeking further Knowledge.
In his speech the Governor of Niger state, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu? urged all Muslims to examine why all Islamic states in the Middle east and other places were in crises always and forge a common front to reverse the situation which he maintained was not good.
The Police in the city of Los Angelese have arrested a 55-year old man, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, 55, in connection with anti-Islam video in the early hours of yesterday.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s spokesman, Steve Whitmore said the suspect, who is said to have been convicted of fraud related offenses turned himself over to the Police and had been taken in for questioning by some officers investigating the incidence.
According to a news cable network, Reuters the suspect is undergoing investigations to ascertain the probation violations arising from film that triggered violent protests in the Muslim world.
“He will be interviewed by federal probation officers,” Whitmore said but stated that Nakoula had not been placed under arrest but would not be returning home immediately. “He was never put in handcuffs… It was all voluntary.”