The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called on individuals and groups to desist from what it described a...
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called on individuals and groups to desist from what it described as persistent attacks, profiling and marginalisation of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria, warning that continued provocation could threaten national peace and unity.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Council's Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, on behalf of the President-General of the NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, the organisation reaffirmed its commitment to the peace, stability and unity of the country.
The Council said its commitment to national cohesion had informed its continued restraint despite what it termed repeated provocations against Muslims, stressing that such restraint should not be mistaken for weakness.
According to the statement, recent comments allegedly made by a former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) during a television programme, claiming that the majority of criminals in Nigeria are Muslims, were "reckless, baseless and irresponsible."
The NSCIA argued that such remarks were capable of inciting religious tension and should have attracted sanctions or at least a reprimand from relevant government regulatory agencies in the interest of national security.
It further accused sections of the media and security agencies of applying double standards in handling statements relating to religion, alleging that similar remarks by Muslim leaders would have attracted swift security action.
The Council also criticised what it described as attempts by some Christian leaders to link Muslims, particularly Fulani, to kidnapping incidents in parts of the country. It cited the recent arrest of a Christian pastor in connection with a kidnapping case in Oyo State, arguing that criminality should not be attributed to any religion.
The NSCIA further expressed concern over what it called the marginalisation of Muslims in public appointments and political discourse, maintaining that Muslims had continued to exercise patience despite perceived injustices.
While urging Muslims across the country to remain peaceful and law-abiding, the Council called on the Federal Government and security agencies to take deliberate steps to address inflammatory rhetoric and ensure fairness in the treatment of all religious groups.
It warned that continued public attacks on Islam and Muslims should be addressed promptly in the interest of preserving peace, national unity and public order.
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