•Frowns at Israel’s involvement in arms purchase
•Laments govts’ inability to tackle corruption

By Haroon Balogun

IN what seemed like a Sallah message to Nigerians on the state of nation, the Muslims Community in Lagos State has lends its voice to myriads of national and international issues affecting the Muslims.

File Photo: mass burial at the destroyed central mosque in Konduga Council Area

The group which comprised of several Islamic groups and organizations in the state, led by the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Garuba Akinola Ibrahim (OON) and 96-year old elder-statesman, Senator H.B Fasinro, OFR, chairman, BOT of the group, said the activities of Boko Haram and ISIS in Iraq and Syria are not only anti-Islamn but also capable of tarnishing the reputation of Islam and its adherents all over the world.

Speaking through Barrister L.O Okunnu, (SAN) a Trustee of the group, during the press conference held at the Lagos Central Mosque, Wednesday, the group affirmed categorically that terrorism was alien to Islamic faith.

“Over the years the Boko Haram sect has been perpetrating various despicable acts of violence notably in the north eastern part of Nigeria and Abuja, terminating the lives of many people, both Muslims and Christians. Unfortunately, some people regard the sect as Muslim.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we affirm that Boko Haram does not correctly present the stand of Islam on knowledge and some aspects of lslam. We cannot over emphasize the falsehood in the claim of Boko Haram that “book is haram.”

“As it has been acknowledged by many scholars, Islam treasures knowledge; it is knowledge-driven; and it urges the acquisition of knowledge from the cradle to the grave and far and wide. It is well known that Muslims have made distinguished intellectual contributions to human civilizations down the ages. Indeed, the false position of Boko Haram on this issue is flawed fatally by its deployment of sophisticated military weapons and media strategies made possible only by recent advancements of knowledge and technology.

“Boko Haram claims it has justification for the employment of violence and terrorism. Despite their claims of being jihadists, it is clear that Boko Haram terrorists are not propagating the cause of Islam, and they do not represent Islam. We wish to affirm categorically that terrorism is alien to Islamic faith. Islam represents peaceful co-existence and tolerance of other faiths. Embarking on violence in the name of Islam is a sinful act. Clearly, they are violating the fundamental principle of Islam, which is “the Religion of Peace”.

“The Holy Qur’an does not enjoin violence, killing, terrorism and force as instruments of propagation of, and conversion to the faith and culture of Islam. Still less, they are not means of attaining bliss in Paradise or means of gaining the favours and pleasure of Allah in this world.

On forceful conversion of people to Islam, the group maintained that there is no compulsion of religion in Islam.

“Al-Qur’an chapter 2 verse 256 says, “There is no compulsion in religion”; Qur’an chapter 109 verse 6 says, “Your religion is for you and my religion is for me”.

 Forceful Marriage

“Even forceful marriage is not endorsed by the Holy Qur’ an as shown clearly in Chapter 4 verse 19 – “You are forbidden to inherit women against their will”.

Hence the Muslim Community of Lagos State disassociates itself fully from this perverse and extremist sect, and hereby urges the Government to find a lasting solution to the rise of these misguided fanatics and criminals who wage war against our fatherland in order (God forbid) to gain political power.

 On Chibok Girls

“It is over 170 days now that the Boko Haram marauders have abducted the Chibok girls! Islam abhors this un-Islamic and illegal incarceration; and it deplores all forms of inhuman treatment. Our hearts and souls remain with these young school girls and we continue to pray for their safety and liberation. We also urge the authorities to exert more efforts to bring back our Chibok girls.

ISIS as anti-Islam

“We want to use this medium to condemn, in the strongest terms possible, the action of ISIS in its entirety as anti Islam. Their actions are aimed at tarnishing the reputation of Islam and its adherents all over the world. There is a tendency for the misguided philosophy of ISIS to spread to other parts of the world, especially Africa. Indeed, the Boko Haram Sect, with its connection with AI-Qaeda and ISIS, has overrun some towns in the north-eastern parts of the country in their quest to establish a questionable caliphate. We, therefore, call on peoples and governments of the world to work together to wage war against, and defeat this growing monster before it overruns or consumes the world. It should be noted that ISIS which beheads human being is condemned even by Al-Qaeda, another terrorist organization.

 Isreal and arms purchase

“It is particularly unfortunate that in the process of purchasing arms and ammunition, ostensibly to fight Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents, the services of an Israeli has been secured. This might be capitalized upon by the insurgents and their allies to whip up sentiments and sympathies in some quarters. Hence, we believe that the procurement of ammunition should be done through normal and official channels that would not boomerang, be self-defeating or counter-productive. Because of the belligerent relationship between Israel and the Muslim world, Israel should not in any way be involved in our war effort against Boko Haram.”

The corruption gangrene

“In spite of various steps taken by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the regular and special agencies to fight and curb corruption in its totality, it seems we are failing as a nation to excise this cancer or gangrene from the body politic of the country. As a divinely-revealed religion, Islam frowns at all forms of corruption and ill-gotten wealth. We must therefore as Muslims resolve, through concerted efforts and sincerity of purpose, to curb and put a stop to corruption so that we can be reckoned with as true believers. We urge the Federal government as well as all state governments in Nigeria to take all measures to eradicate all forms of corruption and pursue programmes that will enhance the quality of lives of our people.”

 The sanctity of the temple of justice

“Of particular interest to us as citizens of this country and as believers in the tenets of a faith noted for peace and divine law (Sharia), we feel really concerned about the fresh threats to law and order in our country. We believe that a democratic society that cherishes law and order must hold the judiciary and legal processes as sacrosanct. Under no circumstances, should we condone recent and increasing assaults on judicial officers in the discharge of their lawful duties.

The “temple of justice” must be regarded as sacred. Physical assaults, such as reported in Ado-Ekiti recently, could undermine the smooth function of justice, erode public confidence in the rule of law, and encourage resort to jungle justice. The incidence of physical assault on Ekiti High Court Judge is the first ever in all our history. It is an attack on JUSTICE and RULE OF LAW. And once these are destroyed, Nigeria as a Nation will be destroyed. That sort of assault should be the last in Nigeria.”

Various Muslim organizations represented at the press briefing were Anwar-ul Islam Movement of Nigeria, Ansar ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Jamatul Islamiyya Society of Nigeria, Zumuratul Islamiyya Society of Nigeria, Nawair-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Ansar-ul Islam Society of Nigeria, Rahmat Islamiyya Association of Nigeria, Muslim Association of Nigeria, United Muslim Council (UMC), Federation of Muslim Women of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Muslim Lawyers Association, Islamic Medical Association, Crescent Bearers, NASFAT, National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations and Council of Muslim School Proprietors to mention among others.