Osogbo – A Lagos-based Islamic scholar, Abdul’liadi Ishola, said on Sunday in Osogbo that that that the activities of the Boko Haram sect negated Islamic doctrine.

Ishola said this while delivering a lecture on the topic “Islamaphobia: Challenge of Modern Time“, organised by the Muslim Congress, Osogbo branch.

Ishola described members of the sect and their sponsors as enemies of God and human race, saying that killing innocent souls and bombing public places were not in accordance Islamic teachings.

He decried the idea of equating the behaviour of the Boko Haram members with that of  Muslim faithful.

“These criminals called Boko Haram are ignorant of Islamic teachings; they know nothing about the religion; in fact,  they lack understanding of Islam.

“We have Muslim faithful among scores of people who have been killed by these hoodlums; yet they are claiming to be followers of Prophet Muhammad,” Ishola observed.

He attributed the rising spate of violence and other criminal acts in Nigeria to the ineffectiveness of the security agents and urged the government to ensure the protection of all Nigerians.

The scholar further charged all Muslim faithful to be focused and live by example for other people to emulate.

“Live peacefully with your neighbours and try as much as possible to present Islam correctly through your good disposition.

“Study and understand the religion, proclaim it, abide by its teachings, practise it and avoid chaos and other acts that can tarnish your image,” Ishola admonished his listeners.

Another guest lecturer, Alhaji Musa Babalola, a banker, who spoke on Islamic Banking, allayed fears over the planned introduction of the banking system by the CBN, saying that it was not intended to introduce Sharia nationwide, as being alleged.

According to Babalola, all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious affiliation, would benefit from the facilities of the banking system.

He explained that  Islamic banking was a non-interest banking system for every Nigerian who had genuine business or useful project that would benefit other people.

He called on all Nigerians to support its introduction, adding that it would go a long way in boosting the nation’s economy, when introduced.

The  hundreds of Muslim faithful across the state and beyond attended the 2011 Special Annual Lecture of the congress.