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Tag: Jama’atu Nasril Islam

  • Zamfara killings: JNI queries essence of government in Nigeria

    Pained by the return of insurgency in some parts of Borno, Yobe states and killings of hundreds of people with wanton destruction of property in Zamfara State, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has queried the need for the existence of government in Nigeria.

    The apex Islamic body in Northern Nigeria said, governments at all levels must do everything possible as a matter of urgency to stop evil acts of terror repeatedly being unleashed on innocent souls and restore peace and security, which is their first constitutional role, as silence is no longer golden.

    In a statement signed by it’s Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, JNI noted that the Zamfara, Borno and Yobe incidences are utterly reprehensible and unacceptable, for hooligans and way-wards to hold a whole state to ransom to no avail.

    It, however, expresses deep concern over what it described as a theater of dehumanisation and desecration of the sanctity of life, properties, personal liberty and communal integrity, by wanton destruction of lives and properties, as well as terrorizing communities in Zamfara state.

    According to the statement, “Where is the government? Where are the security agencies? Where are the political, community and religious leaders? Where is our conscience? Where is the humanness in us? Above all, where is our Islam? Where is the Qur’an and its pristine teachings? Where is the Prophetic guidance in his Sunnah?

    “Why must all these bloodlettings be allowed to resurface? All these re-occurring acts of terrorism, dehumanisation, sacrilege of sanctity of life and all forms of wickedness are utterly and unreservedly condemned in their entirety and government must go beyond mere condemnations.

    “The Zamfara state carnage has now claimed an uncountable number of lives and destruction of properties and has continued unabated for years. What then is the essence of government and security outfits?

    “We should all be reminded that that was how Boko Haram insurgency started and it has now snowballed into a full-blown security threat to the nation! We must not see it as a face up to Zamfara state, as already spillover of it, has been witnessed in Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto Kebbi and Katsina state in the name of armed banditry and kidnappings.” It read.

    While calling for a real investigation that must bring similar occurrence(s) to a final end, JNI said it is disheartening that after attacks are launched on settlements, sporadic gunshots follow and then setting the communities ablaze ensues in Zamfara state.

    While noting that, the evil that men do lives after them, and will continue to hunt them, JNI said it will continue to ask questions including, “Who are the bloodthirsty fellows? Why have they been allowed for years? Why have they not been arrested and interrogated? What has been the motive behind such repeated scandalous acts? Isn’t intelligence gathering supposed to aid security operatives and why is it not yielding the desired results? Why the renewed attacks now, just a few months before the 2019 General Elections?”

    He added, “JNI has been keenly following the unfolding events in Zamfara, Borno and Yobe states, overtime; which unfortunately climax with the recent serial massacres in Maradun, Tsafe, Birnin Magaji, Maru, Baga and Kukareta, among many others.

    “We, therefore, call on Governments at all levels to do everything possible as a matter of urgency to stop these evil acts of terror repeatedly being unleashed on innocent souls and restore peace and security, which is their first constitutional role, as silence is no longer golden. ”

    He commiserate with the families of the victims of these ‘inhuman attacks’ and particularly condole with the families of gallant security men that died at battlefronts, husbands and wives, parents and guardians who have lost their wards/children in these orgy misfortunes.

    He pray to the Almighty Allah, to grant the deceased forgiveness and mercy, while those that sustained injuries quick recovery.

    He however drew the attention of the political gladiators to play the game according to the rules, during their political campaigns, with decorum and peaceful means saying,  “Although, we are not oblivious of the fact, that politicians often say that there is no morality in politics, that is why it is not surprising to witness the display of sheer irresponsibility, obscenity and scurrility between political rivals, and incitement of violence at the local communities for political aggrandizement.”

    He stressed that hate speeches and all violent tendencies should be avoided as responsible conduct of campaign is a panacea in ushering responsible leadership.

    He then called on Imams to return to special prayers in calamitous situations and trying times (Qunutun-Nawazil), seeking Allah, the Most High to deal with the situation and evil perpetrators with what they deserve and to restore peace and security to all affected areas, and the country at large.

  • Guard your utterances, Sultan cautions politicians

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III has cautioned politicians to guard their utterances in the interest of peace saying, politicians should stop abusing each other especially the incident report in Kaduna.

    Speaking at the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) Pre-Ramadan meeting in Kaduna on Tuesday, the Sultan called on leaders and the led to respect each other saying, “We are the only once that can bring an end to the challenges confronting us as a nation.”

    He said instances where political leaders go about abusing themselves publicly and is being heard and seen on different media platforms nationally and internationally is not good for the country

    While expressing dismay over the rising cases of drug abuse and the intake of Codeine by people especially women and young girls in the Northern part of the country, the Sultan called on parents to monitor their wards to stop the scourge saying, “It has no positive impact on their lives.”

    He said, “We should access what the government has done for the Muslim Ummah since their election in last general elections and use it as a yard stick to determine who we will vote for in the fourth coming elections because if we do not make the assessment, we might just end up voting for the wrong people and we would have to wait for another four or even eight years to elect new leaders.”

    He called on Islamic scholars to educate and enlighten Muslims during their sermons in their various mosques to using their votes to elect credible leaders that will prioritize issues challenging Muslims in the country.

    He frowned at the wanton killings of innocent lives going on in the country and called on security agencies to take proactive steps in tackling the menace.

    As the month of Ramadan approaches, the sultan called on Muslims to start fasting as soon as the announcement on the moon sighting is made saying, “We have a Moon Sighting Committee which reports to me when the moon is sighted before the announcement is made.”

    He however called on Muslims to use the month of Ramadan to pray for the Ummah and the entire country in order for peace and tranquility to return.

  • CAN, JNI should be scrapped – Catholic Priest

    CAN, JNI should be scrapped – Catholic Priest

    A Catholic Priest, Rev. Father Gabriel Teruwose Ngbea has asked the government to immediately ban the activities of religious umbrella bodies like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) as a way of stemming the tide of the religiously motivated crisis in the country. 

    The priest’s suggestion is coming just as Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom said the major problems facing the country can be traced to religion and politics, saying if the nation can get its religious and political practices right, the nation will be great again.

    Rev. Father Ngbea’s suggestion is contained in his book “Constitutional Misconception of Secularism: Implications for Politics and Religion” which was presented in Abuja on Tuesday. 

    He said that the government should replace the two bodies with an independent body to be known as “Religious Equity Commission” whose mandate should be to ensure that there is no discrimination among Nigerians on the basis of their faith. 

    Father Ngbea said on page 302 of his book that “CAN and JNI should be proscribed because apart from their failed mandate of advancing religious interests these bodies have constituted themselves into a political organisation often deployed to pursue political interests.” 

    According to him, in order to keep faith with section 20 of the Nigerian constitution and to ensure that Nigerians practiced their faith in a manner that is devoid of discrimination he is proposing  “the establishment of an independent Religious Equity Commission whose mandate should be to ensure that there is no discrimination among Nigerians on basis of faith. CAN and JNI should be completely banned in the country.” 

    Chairman of the occasion and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, however, cautioned Nigerians to be mindful of others who may not think, act or believe in what they do, saying the country’s diversity ought to be her strength and not otherwise. 

    Atiku said the first country’s national constitution carefully considered the diverse character as a nation and chose the secular path in order to accommodate the diversity and peaceful coexistence. 

    Represented by the former Speaker of the Plateau state House of Assembly, George Daika, the former Vice President said: “Let me, however, use this opportunity to remind us all that at this delicate moment in our nation’s history – with separatist agitations, militancy of the religious and secular varieties, calls for restructuring, and jostling for future elections, we should all be mindful of and sensitive to the feelings and preferences of those who may not think the way we think, the way we speak or worship, the way we worship or belong to the same political party as us. Our diversity ought to be our strength and, together, we can still build the Nigeria of our dreams.”

    Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, however, said politics and religion have been at the heart of the problems confronting the country, adding that “today in our country, two things are very important, politics and religion and if we can get it right, we will be able to make Nigeria great.”

    He said that both Christianity and Islam all seek to bring love and peace to mankind, adding that it his hope that these two religions will work toward bringing peace and love to the country. 

    The governor, however, blamed organised Labour for employing the blackmail tactics over the payment of workers salaries in addressing the brewing Labour crisis in the state. 

    Archbishop of Abuja Catholic archdiocese, Cardinal John Onaiyekan who was represented by Rev. Father Bologo said that religion and politics have been taken too far in our country and that this has caused a lot of problems for the country. 

    “Nigeria should not have been where it is now but because we are using religion to divide the country and to cause disaffection. Nigeria is 90% on the wrong path as far as religion and politics is concerned,” he said. 

  • JNI cautions Muslims on burial

    JNI cautions Muslims on burial

    The apex Islamic body in the North, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), has cautioned the Muslim ummah to be cautious when burying the dead, to avoid contracting the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    JNI said Nigeria had joined the league of West African nations with the deadly disease, following the death in a Lagos hospital of a Liberian-American, Mr. Patrick Sawyer.

    In a statement yesterday in Kaduna by its Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the Islamic body urged Muslims to protect themselves to curb the spread of the virus.

    It advised Imams to educate their followers on the dangers of the disease and the preventative measures they should take.

    The statement reads: “Our masajid (mosques) managers must maintain a high level of sanitation for the teeming congregation of worshippers. Worshippers, on the other hand, must cooperate in maintaining the sanitary condition of the masajid.

    “Most specific areas where the sanitation and or preventive measures are needed are the surroundings of the masajid (mosques), the toilets/bathrooms and, above all, the funeral/burial of our dead ones must be conducted with caution.

    “As confirmed by medical experts, the disease was first discovered in monkeys and contacted by those who eat monkeys and other bush meats. Alas, in Islam, eating of monkeys has already been discouraged (Makruh), according to many scholars of Islamic jurisprudence. Thus, we should continue to uphold this verdict as it also serves as a preventative measure.

    “The culture of personal hygiene as well as proper sanitation must always be emphasised. Thus, Islam is a religion of cleanliness: ‘Cleanliness is half of faith’, as reported in a sound Hadith.”

    JNI listed the symptoms of the disease to include fever, sore throat, muscle pains, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and severe internal and external bleeding, at the advanced stages of the disease.

    IT advocated prompt medical attention for the sick.

  • Sultan launches fatwa committee, 12 others

    Sultan launches fatwa committee, 12 others

    The Muslim umbrella body, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), inaugurated yesterday the Fatwa committee, which is saddled with interpreting Islamic jurisprudence and recommending appropriate sanction against offenders.

    The fatwa committee was among 13 committees, majority of which are headed by traditional rulers in the North, inaugurated by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, at the national headquarters of the body in Kaduna.

    Speaking at the event, the Sultan said setting up the committee was as a way of uniting Muslims, pointing out that it was important for Muslims to come together as one.

    He said: “The work of Islam should be taken seriously, as our religion has problems and we should fight towards embracing peace and unity amongst ourselves to achieve what has been before.

    “I urged the appointees to be proactive as they accept this wondrous task to serve in the different committees, and make sure that you discharge you duties diligently.”

    The Secretary-General, Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, said the JNI has gone a long way in propagating the ideals of Islam, unity of the Ummah and protecting the overall interests of Muslims since its inception in 1961.

    Aliyu added that the committees are to collaborate with stakeholders to source for support or counterpart funding and further articulate a blue print for the JNI.

    JNI’s spokesman Umar Zaria said the Fatwa Committee was set up to look into current Islamic issues that do not have clear interpretations in Islamic Jurisprudence.

    The committee, Zaria said, has the power to proffer advice, even the passing of a death sentence on an individual.

    He said: “The Fatwa committee will look into areas of modern times and Islam. It would be saddled with the interpretation, for example, whether or not it is Islamically right to eat with fork, spoon or not.

    “It would look into current trends as they concern Muslims and decide on the kind of judgment they would get.

    “This would be more practical in areas where Sharia law is now being practised.

    “Yes, on the passing of a death sentence, even if it is on a non-Muslim, the Fatwa Committee is capable of doing that.

    “But, as I said, it all depends on whether the issue in question is in Islamic Jurisprudence. But the Fatwa committee is strictly on individual behaviour and not a communal committee. And Muslims are the most affected.”

  • Bombing: Grand design to push north into deeper crisis – JNI

    The Muslim umbrella body in the north, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) on Tuesday raised an alarm of what it called a grand design to push the entire north into deeper crises and by extension the Nigerian federation.

    Reacting to Monday’s multiple bomb explosion in Kano in which several people died, the JNI in a statement signed by its secretary General, Dr. Khalid Aliyu Abubakar, wondered why the killing of innocent people have continued unabated especially in the north.

    The body said that the repeated acts of bombings call for concerted introspection, as they point to the fact that there is the urgent need for proactive and effective ways of addressing these precarious security upheavals presently being witnessed in the country.

    The statement made available to The Nation reads: “Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) once again under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and the President-General, received with bewilderment the news of the orchestrated multiple bomb blasts which were reported to have occurred yesterday night, at Sabon Gari, Kano, Kano State resulting in collateral damages and many lives lost.

    “We strongly condemn the inhuman and ungodly act in its totality as it is reprehensible, and we equally call for calm and restrain. As it has always been our prayers, whatsoever is the intent/motive of the perpetrators of these contemptible acts, they will never succeed insha’Allah.

    “JNI is perplexed that this act of unleashing terror on human lives continued unabated, despite visible number of uncountable security check-points mounted all through Northern Nigeria. More worrisome is the fact that this beastly act of terror comes just 24 hours after unleashing same on fishermen and traders in Kaka and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State, which also claimed many innocent lives and loss of many properties worth millions of naira.”

    “These repeated acts call for concerted introspection, as they again point to the fact that there is the urgent need for proactive and effective ways of addressing these precarious security upheavals presently being witnessed in the country.

     

  • Why insecurity thrives in north – Muslim leaders

    Muslim leaders in the north on Tuesday said the inability of religious adherents to stand up to their responsibility in terms of teaching and disseminating sound knowledge and giving effective leadership and social responsibility was partly responsible for the current security challenges in the country.

    The Islamic leaders also appeal to members of the Boko Haram sect to accept the offer of amnesty being offered by the Presidential committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution on the security challenges in the region.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of a conference on the role of Muslim scholars in fostering unity, peace and security organized by the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), they also blamed the government for abdicating its responsibility by failing to prosecute those found to have perpetuated acts of violence in the country.

    The communiqué which was signed by the Chairman of the drafting committee, Prof. S. Junaidu and the Secretary General of JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu also frown at the increasing cases of corruption in the country and asked government to do everything possible to address the situation.

    The communiqué reads in part: “The prevailing security challenges are partly as a result of the individual and collective inability of the Ulama’ to stand up to their responsibility in terms of teaching and disseminating sound knowledge and giving effective leadership in community and social responsibility.

    “That government’s refusal to institute judicial process of inquiry or prosecution as the case may be, against people arrested and are accused of perpetrating violence is an abdication of cardinal leadership responsibility that smacks of insensitivity in governance.

    “”That since unity of Muslims is a cardinal obligation, the Conference implored the scholars to uphold, foster and promote it and that scholars must stand up to their rightful position as heirs of the Prophets to shun vices and tread the path of piety and righteousness in order to discharge their obligation of guiding the Ummah duly and effectively, especially as it pertains to the issue of unity.”