By Henry Umoru, Levinus Nwabughiogu and Joseph Erunke
ABUJA- FOLLOWING the massive killings and wanton destruction of property by members or the Islamic Boko Haram sect almost everyday in some parts of the country, the  Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA said yesterday that the raging insurgencies should not be misconstrued as Muslims at war against Christians or the Nigerian Government.

Speaking yesterday at the plenary while responding to a goodwill message expressed by the Christian delegates to Muslims on the month of Ramadan, Secretary General of the Council and a delegate to the on- going National Conference, Professor Ishaq Oloyede,  said he on behalf of the Muslim community of Nigeria accept with gratitude the message of goodwill expressed by our Christian brothers and sisters, adding “We want to seize this opportunity to reassure Christians of this country and indeed all citizens of this country that Muslims in Nigeria are not at war with anybody”.

The former Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin who noted  that Muslims in Nigeria were part and parcel  of contributing to  the greatness of this country and will continue to be so,  said, “We want to plead with our brothers and sisters that why we say emphatically that those who wage war on this country in the name of Islam, do not represent Muslims in Nigeria.

“Our brothers and sisters should please be gracious enough to accept that we are saying this is nothing but the truth. For our brothers and sisters, if any of them perchance think that we are not sincere, I want this to be erased.

“Therefore, I urged the people of this country, particularly the Federal Government, to know that Muslims in Nigeria are not at war with the Federal Government and we should not be so treated.

“We want to be protected, we are victims and we will continue to work along with the government for the protection and development of this country.”

Earlier, the Bishop of Kafanchan and a  delegate at the Conference, Joseph Bagobiri, had in a motion of Urgent National Importance, congratulated the Muslims on the Ramadan while also calling for religious harmony and peaceful co-existence.

He said last Saturday the moon was sighted which marked the beginning of the month of Ramadan for Muslims particularly in Nigeria, a period traditionally, adding,n“we know to be one of prayer, fasting and arms giving.

“I wish to on behalf of the team representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and indeed the entire Christian to salute and show solidarity to our Muslim brothers and sisters as they embark on this great and intensely spiritual exercise.

According to the Bishop, it was not just by fortuitous coincidence that the conference started during the Christians Lent and is ending during Muslims Ramadan, adding,  “God must be saying something profound to us as nation, that we must repent and change from the part that lead to disaster, self-destruction and embrace that part that lead to peace prosperity and harmonious co-existence as a people.

Bagobiri, particularly called on the Boko Haram sect to embrace peace and eschew religious extremism that could lead to war and destruction of lives and property.