Shi’ites demonstration: Council of Ulamah reacts

Sokoto — The Sokoto State Council of Ulamah and Imams has reacted to the demonstration staged by members of Shi’ite Muslims at the National Assembly referring to its earlier letter of March 5, 2008 to President Yar’Adua about the alleged “insurgen-cy and criminal activities of the Shi’ite members in Sokoto”.

In a letter of reminder signed by its Chairman, Sheikh Abubakar Jibril and Secretary, Abubakar Chika Alhassan, with a copy sent to Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, the council reminded President Yar’Adua of its letter dated March 5, 2008 with reference No. A24/08 which has not been acknowledged by the Presidency.

Some of the suspected Islamic fundamentalists arrested in Wudil, Kano State, yesterday.

“Your Excellency will recall that we wrote to you on the above well over one year ago. Since we wrote, we have been expecting an acknow-ledgment. We have received none, so far,” part of the letter, which was to be delivered through Governor Wamakko, stated.

Referring to the letter of March last year, the council complained that the Shi’ites in Sokoto State attacked, maimed and killed members of the Sunni Muslims.

The letter further named those allegedly killed as Mallam Umar Hamza Dan Maishayi, who was gunned down on July 18, 2007; Abdulkareem Usman, who was killed on July 20, 2007; Abdullahi Buhari, Aliyu Malami Gidadawa, who were  killed October 21, 2007; Mallam Abubakar Imam, who was killed February 9, 2008 and Mallam Umar Muhammad, who was attac-ked on April 20, 2005.

It also called on President Yar’Adua to prevent what the council referred to as “insurgent attacks” in order not to plunge the state into an Iraqi situation.

“Your Excellency, it was in consideration of the magni-tude of the problem that we are compelled by circum-stances to write to you to prevent the insurgent attacks on our members and the people of Sokoto State lest the state be plunged into an ‘Iragi Situation’,” the letter of March 2008 stated.

The Council then urged President Yar Adua to expedite action on its letter in order to bring lasting solution to the problem.