Muslims Are Not Responsible For The Violence In The Country - Oloyede
The Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, on Sunday blamed the current destructive activities of the members of the radical Islamist sect, Boko Haram on the government.
According to NAN, Oloyede, made the assertion while delivering a keynote address at the 9th Ramadan Lecture of Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) in Abuja, tagged: "Peace and Leadership: The Missing Link".
"Muslims are not responsible for the violence in the country. Muslims are for peace. If there is any problem, it is a failure of the system" Oloyede said.
He also urged security agencies in the country to be fair and professional in the discharge of their duties, adding that the security situation in the country was very serious.
The Islamic leader reiterated that Muslims in Nigeria were for peace as long as there was justice and fairness.
"Cannot be peace without justice. Our appeal is that Federal Government should be just to all segments of the society" he said.
The secretary general urged that in the spirit of the theme of the lecture there should be more consultation and dialogue among the stakeholders in the country.
The guest speaker, Prof. Musa Abdur-Raheem while speaking on the theme, also noted that for peace to reign there must be justice.
"Boko Haram are not representing Islam, Muslims are for peace and most of the victims of Boko Haram attacks are Muslims" he said.
Abdur-Raheem called on the leaders in the country to live up to expectations by urgently addressing the nation’s security challenges, and advised all groups to channel their grievances through legal means.
Declaring the event open, Hamidu Kadi-kuta, a representative of the Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, called on the populace to take steps in tackling the nation’s security challenges.
The governor pointed out that the security challenges in the country if not checked on time, it would slow down developments and urged Muslims to use the Ramadan period to pray for the peace and unity of the country.
Related: Suspected Boko Haram Members Lock Worshippers In Church, Kill 56 Near Chibok (UPDATED)
Speaking earlier also, Abdurrahman Balogun, Chairman of the Association also urged politicians in the country to play politics according to the rules of the game.
"As 2015 general elections approaches, politicians should play the game according to the rules. Fear Allah in all their dealings and remember that everyone will account for all deeds in the hereafter" Balogun said.
Boko Haram which has its strong hold in the North-eastern part of the country has carried out several deadly attacks in the past three weeks, leaving scores of innocent people dead. The sect is generally described as an Islamist group as they aim to create an Islamic state by putting an end to what they term: "westernisation".
Source: Legit.ng
