Shekarau advises Muslims as groups task govt on Boko Haram menace

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

LAGOS -Former Kano State governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has called on Muslims to imbibe the teachings of Ramadan and live according to the dictates of Islam.

This was coming as two non-profit Islamic organisations, Muslim Rights’ Concern, MURIC, and  Muslim Public Affairs Centre, MPAC, called on the government to be more proactive in tackling the Boko Haram  menace.

Shekarau, in his Ramadan message, said, “It is only when Muslims live in strict adherence to the teachings of Islam  that we can experience a more harmonious living.

“We have a lot to learn from the month-long fasting and hope that we would imbibe what we learnt during the period.”

Condemning the attack on the United Nations House in Abuja, MURIC said it was  “a tragedy of monumental proportion which must be condemned by all right-thinking persons. The Boko Haram group which has since claimed responsibility, has created  a culture of fear in the country.”

“We reiterate our call on the Federal Government to engage Boko Haram in constructive dialogue. Government appears to be procrastinating on the issue of dialogue with the group.

“This is not good enough. We expect the Federal Government to take the safety of lives and properties of its citizens very seriously.

“MURIC affirms that it is time to face reality. A group that could penetrate police headquarters and inflict such damage on the UN office should be taken seriously.

MPAC said: “We call on Muslims to use this special occasion as not only an opportunity, but a turning point for being good role models in our society, in accordance with the prophetic model.”

It urged Muslims to justify their abstinence from food, drinks and all bad habits during Ramadan by upholding this great culture of self-discipline after the holy month.