The National Da’Wah Officer of the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Abdul-Ganiyy Raji, has declared that terrorists and bandits terrorising different parts of Nigeria should not be described as Muslims, insisting that their activities contradict the principles and teachings of Islam.
Raji spoke on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief programme as Muslims nationwide marked the Eid al-Adha celebration.
The Islamic cleric maintained that criminal groups using religion as a cover for killings, attacks and abductions do not speak for Islam or the Muslim faithful. He stressed that the religion advocates peace, tolerance and the sanctity of human life.
“People have come out to say these people are not Muslims. These people are not Muslims,” he said.
“And I’m going to say it right here too, that they are not representing Islam.”
Raji also rejected suggestions that Muslim clerics and leaders in the country had remained silent over terrorism and banditry. According to him, several respected Islamic scholars have consistently condemned violent extremism and insurgency across the country.
He further argued that many of the criminal groups that initially portrayed themselves as religious movements have now evolved into gangs primarily involved in kidnapping for ransom.
“They are now kidnapping people, asking for money. Are you now going to say that the ransom they are collecting is being used to sponsor people to Mecca or to build mosques or schools for Muslims?” he queried.
The NASFAT official also expressed concern over the effect of insecurity on children living in troubled communities, particularly in northern Nigeria, noting that thousands have been deprived of education because of persistent attacks by insurgents and bandits.
According to him, such acts run contrary to Islamic teachings on justice, compassion and the protection of human dignity.
Raji also urged media organisations to provide more platforms for moderate Islamic scholars to enlighten the public on the true teachings of Islam and help combat extremist ideologies.
“I also need to appeal to a TV station like Channels Television that coming to your station should not be a one-off event or an annual event. You need to provide a platform for Muslim clerics who have very good messages to pass across,” he said.
He added that leading Islamic authorities in Nigeria, including the Sultan of Sokoto, have repeatedly denounced terrorism, violence and extremism perpetrated in the name of religion.
Explaining further, Raji referenced various verses of the Qur’an which he said promote peaceful coexistence and reject any form of compulsion in religion.
Quoting Qur’an 2:256, he said, “God says there is no compulsion in religion.”
He also cited Qur’an 109:6 and Qur’an 60:8-9, noting that the verses encourage Muslims to coexist peacefully with adherents of other religions who do not oppress others.
The cleric further referred to the life of Prophet Muhammad, stating that the Prophet fostered peaceful coexistence among Muslims, Christians and Jews in Medina through the historic Charter of Medina.
According to him, the Prophet’s example demonstrates that Islam promotes dialogue, justice and mutual respect among people of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds.
